A global train-the-trainer workshop on maritime energy efficiency was help in China in late May, preparing personnel needed to cascade knowledge on energy efficiency for ships and related efforts for mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions from international shipping.

The five-day course was organized by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), within the framework of the Global Maritime Energy Efficiency Partnerships (GloMEEP) Project. The workshop was co-hosted by the China Maritime Safety Administration (China MSA) and Dalian Maritime University (DMU).

The GloMEEP project supports implementation of energy-efficiency measures for shipping. China is one of the ten lead pilot countries implementing the GloMEEP project.

The 30 participants on the course—including two from each GloMEEP pilot country and ten national participants from China—underwent training in the art and techniques of knowledge transfer in a classroom environment, alongside comprehensive technical training on energy efficient ship operation and the regulatory requirements.

Welcoming the trainers on the course, Jose Matheickal, Head of Integrated Technical Cooperation Programme Implementation and Major Projects, Marine Environment Division, IMO, referred to the challenges set by the Paris Climate Change Agreement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and recalled that IMO has adopted mandatory energy-efficiency measures under Annex VI of the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL). These regulations made mandatory the Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) for certain types of new ships, and the Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan (SEEMP) for all ships.

“We have a long way to go and the road ahead is challenging for many developing countries who may not have the necessary capacity to implement and enforce these measures,” said Matheickal. “To increase the impact of these measures and to ensure that no one is left behind, we need to enhance the capacity in all countries in all aspects of implementation of MARPOL Annex VI. Collectively we can train the world so that collectively we can ensure the future of our planet.”

“I consider this activity to be a milestone event for IMO where we continue to build and strengthen the foundation for capacity building by growing the pool of trainers around the world,” said Stefan Micallef, Director of IMO’s Marine Environment Division. “It shows the commitment of IMO to respond to the needs of our member states to support effective implementation of the international regulations on energy efficiency for ships.”

The workshop was facilitated by international and national experts on ships’ energy efficiency and was coordinated by the Project Coordination Unit of GloMEEP.