Japanese trading company Sumitomo Corporation and Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping today (11 August) signed a partnership agreement, committing to a long-term strategic collaboration on the development of zero carbon technologies for the maritime industry.
As a strategic partner to the Center, Sumitomo Corporation will second experts to work on research and development projects in the Center’s portfolio and contribute to the development of methodologies and optimised pathways for safe and sustainable fuel solutions for shipping.
Additionally, Sumitomo Corporation will join the Center Advisory Board providing guidance for transition strategies and further development of the Center and its activities.
‘We are proud to welcome Sumitomo Corporation to the Center. With a shared commitment to contribute to a carbon-free world through energy and technology innovation we see great potential in exploring alternative fuel pathways for shipping together,’ said Bo Cerup-Simonsen, CEO of Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping.
‘With an impressive 400 years of business experience Sumitomo also brings a proven track record of developing transition strategies and coping effectively with change and we look forward to leveraging this knowhow and expertise as well.’
General Manager, Energy Trading Department, Sumitomo Corporation, Shu Nakamura, added: ‘We are delighted to contribute the cutting-edge study as a partner of the Center together with various field of professional partners aiming for decarbonization of the maritime industry. In line with our basic environment policy that aims to make the Sumitomo Corporation Group carbon neutral in 2050, we would like to cooperate with the Center and partners to achieve our common goal.’
In recent weeks, a number of new partners have joined the Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping. In June, the UK Maritime & Coastguard Agency and Boston Consulting Group both joined as Knowledge Partners, while in July, energy major bp became a Strategic Partner to the Center.
