World Bank commissions study to decarbonise the Maldive shipping sector

Energy and marine consultancy ABL Group will conduct a study to prepare a decarbonisation plan for the Maldives' maritime sector.

PHOTO: Aerial view of Maldivian capital and port city of Male. Getty Images

Scope of the study includes a regulatory framework and action plan to help decarbonise the shipping sector in the Maldives. The project is in line with the country’s 2030 net-zero aspiration, ABL Group said.

The island nation adopted a conditional emissions reduction target of 26% by 2030 compared to "business as usual” but aspires to achieve net zero by 2030 depending on global support, according to its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) submitted to the UN in 2020. NDCs are commitments made by the countries to reduce their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

Conditional emissions reduction targets are specific goals that are dependent on external factors like international support, financial assistance or technological advancements.

The study will also include “the preparation of an action plan to decarbonise ports and ferry stations in the country, and the preparation of a bankable proposal for electrifying the ferry fleet,” the consultancy added.

The study has been commissioned by the World Bank, and the country's sole port authority the Maldives Port is one of the partners. The study is expected to be completed by October. 

By Konica Bhatt

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