DUBAI, 23rd January, 2022 (WAM) -- The UAE Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure enables the country's energy transition by adopting sustainability in all sectors including the maritime industry.

The country has consolidated its leading position among the best maritime centres in the world by employing practices, decisions and legislation that have contributed to developing the sector and enhancing maritime safety standards, while also protecting the marine environment globally.

To accelerate low-carbon hydrogen deployment, the UAE and its leadingports have showcased steadfast support to the Global Ports Hydrogen Coalition, the first global forum that brings representatives from ports together with decision-makers from governments as well as the industry to discuss the adoption of hydrogen technologies and fuels.

The UAE, represented by the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure has recently announced the Hydrogen Leadership Roadmap, a comprehensive national blueprint to support domestic, low-carbon industries, contribute to the country’s net-zero ambition and establish the country as a competitive exporter of hydrogen.

The UAE has also announced the UAE Net Zero by 2050 Strategic Initiative, a national drive to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, making the Emirates the first Middle East and North Africa (MENA) nation to do so. In line with this initiative, IMO 2030 decarbonisation goals and the Sustainable Development Goals 2030, the Ministry aims to enhance the quality of life in the country. As members of the Coalition that will enhance policy dialogue and project-oriented collaboration, the Ministry hopes to speed up the progress in this regard.

The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) has officially announced that the UAE will host the 28th Conference of the Parties (COP28) in 2023. This commitment will not only have an environmental impact, but also an economic one, as UAE’s priority sector companies and government entities will collaborate to develop new industries, technologies, skills, and jobs, rooted in innovation, technology and science.

Suhail bin Mohammed Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, said, 'The UAE has always been a key contributor to the global sustainability movement. During COP26, the UAE launched UAE’s Hydrogen Roadmap as the UAE is well positioned to be a leader in low carbon hydrogen. hydrogen is envisaged to play a significant role in UAE’s domestic strategy to meet the UAE 2050 Net-Zero goals and which will also assist globally by exporting hydrogen. We have been committed to upholding our responsibility by participating in several established sustainable platforms for knowledge-sharing among maritime nations and administrations on best practices, while also adding value to the technical and legal discussions held at the IMO, by contributing with proposals aimed at enhancing regulations to preserve the marine environment. Our involvement with the Coalition is one such endeavour that supports the UAE Energy Strategy 2050 that aims to achieve an energy mix combining renewable and low carbon energy sources to achieve strategic economic and environmental goals.'

Sharif Al Olama, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure for Energy and Petroleum Affairs, the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, added, 'With an aim of having 50 per cent of clean energy as part of its energy mix, the country plans to maximise its investments until 2050 in clean energy. Hydrogen is a key aspect of this strategy. Currently, the expansion of the UAE’s hydrogen economy is in process with mega projects involving several of our leading ports. The two-gigawatt green ammonia project by Taqa, the Abu Dhabi National Energy Company, and Abu Dhabi Ports is one such project that will produce green hydrogen and process it into liquid ammonia, to be used in ships as bunker fuel and for export. This coupled with other endeavours by our ports will reinforce the UAE’s position as a key competitive maritime hub.'

Hessa Al Malek, Advisor to the Minister for Maritime Transport Affairs, UAE Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, said, 'Through our membership in the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), we will continue contributing to developing strategies, policies, agreements and setting standards to regulate and streamline the maritime sector.'

Wam