Solomon Islands launches national plan for greener shipping

The Plan for a Sustainable Maritime Future: Charting the Course Towards Greener Shipping and Portswas unveiled in Honiara during the Sixth Ship Operators' Workshop (26 November).

Officiated by Mr. Allan Lilia, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Infrastructure Development of Solomon Islands, the event gathered government authorities, ship operators, industry partners and development agencies.

"Maritime transport is the lifeline of the Solomon Islands," said Mr. Lilia. "Our Plan provides a practical roadmap to improve efficiency, reliability and sustainability while safeguarding our ocean environment for future generations."

Developed by the Solomon Islands Maritime Authority (SIMA) with technical support from the IMO GreenVoyage2050 Programme, the National Action Plan (NAP) outlines prioritized short, medium and long-term actions to modernize vessels and port infrastructure, improve operational and port energy efficiency, introducing low- and zero-carbon solutions, strengthen institutional capacity and data systems, and mobilize finance for pilot projects to improve maritime services.

SIMA will coordinate NAP implementation in partnership with relevant ministries, the private sector and development partners.

Ms. Gyorgyi Gurban, IMO Head of Projects Implementation, commended the Solomon Islands for its leadership, stating: "The National Action Plan demonstrates how targeted support, local expertise and global partnerships can drive climate action in Small Island Developing States."

Ms. Astrid Dispert, IMO Programme Manager, added that the NAP reflects the realities of a large ocean state dependent on domestic shipping for connectivity and livelihoods.

The Plan supports national commitments to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions and aligns with the Solomon Islands' climate policy framework and Nationally Determined Contributions.

GreenVoyage2050 Programme

GreenVoyage2050is a technical cooperation programme initiated by IMO to assist developing countries in reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from shipping.

Now in its second phase (2024-2030), GreenVoyage2050 supports developing countries in designing and implementing national GHG-reduction strategies and piloting low-carbon technologies, with funding from several donor governments including Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands and Norway.

With this milestone, the Solomon Islands joins a growing group of partner countries advancing national decarbonization strategies, contributing to a just, inclusive and resilient global maritime energy transition.