IMO Launches €5.9 Million Project to Decarbonize Southeast Asia’s Maritime Sector
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has launched Blue Solutions, a new project to accelerate maritime decarbonization, support green port development, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions across Southeast Asia. The initiative aims to help countries implement practical low-emission technologies while strengthening maritime competitiveness and environmental sustainability.
Announced at the 51st ASEAN Maritime Transport Working Group (MTWG) Meeting in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, the project will be implemented with Partnerships in Environmental Management for the Seas of East Asia (PEMSEA) and six countries: Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Viet Nam.
Green Ports and Low-Emission Shipping
Blue Solutions will help participating countries assess and demonstrate measures such as port and vessel electrification, cleaner technologies, and operational improvements. It will also support greenhouse gas emission baselines, national action plans, technical capacity-building, and regional knowledge-sharing.
The project has an initially approved Phase 1 budget of €5.9 million, funded by Germany’s International Climate Initiative (IKI), and is expected to run until January 2031.
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Investment Opportunities in Sustainable Maritime Transport
Ports are central to the project because they connect shipping, energy systems, industry, and coastal communities. Improving port operations and adopting cleaner technologies could create opportunities for green port infrastructure, clean-energy investment, and maritime technology development.
Aimee Gonzales, Executive Director of PEMSEA, emphasized the importance of integrating ports with wider transport and coastal development strategies. She highlighted the potential to combine IMO expertise in maritime decarbonization with PEMSEA’s experience in integrated coastal management and green port development.
The International Climate Initiative said the transition to low-carbon shipping offers Southeast Asia an opportunity to strengthen maritime competitiveness while contributing to global climate goals. It will support practical, country-led solutions intended to deliver environmental and economic benefits.
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Regional Cooperation to Drive Decarbonization
Jose Matheickal, Director of IMO’s Technical Cooperation and Implementation Division, said partnerships among governments, ports, industry, and development partners are essential to turning maritime decarbonization goals into practical action. The project will support local capacity, identify workable solutions, and help establish pathways for implementation.
Blue Solutions will operate under the IMO’s GreenVoyage2050 Programme, drawing on its technical expertise, partnerships, and knowledge-sharing networks. It will complement wider efforts to accelerate maritime decarbonization in developing countries.
The project’s impact will depend on how effectively participating countries turn national plans into practical port improvements and deploy low-emission technologies. Its focus on technical cooperation and knowledge-sharing is intended to help countries advance sustainable maritime transport while maintaining regional competitiveness.
About the Project: Blue Solutions is supported by Germany’s International Climate Initiative (IKI), which is anchored within the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Climate Action, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMUKN). Selected individual projects also fall under the responsibility of the Federal Foreign Office (AA).
