Green Shipping

Why is green shipping important?

Shipping is the backbone of the global economy, transporting over 80% of global trade, yet it is also responsible for nearly 3% of global greenhouse gas emissions, alongside significant air, water and noise pollution that disproportionately affects coastal and port communities. Without decisive action, emissions from the sector are projected to rise sharply.

For GGGI, green shipping sits at the intersection of climate action, blue economy development, and sustainable infrastructure. Maritime transport and ports are critical infrastructure systems that underpin economic growth, connectivity, and food security, particularly for developing countries and small island states. Decarbonizing shipping while safeguarding marine ecosystems is therefore essential to achieving inclusive, resilient green growth.

GGGI supports its Member States and partner countries to transition toward sustainable maritime transport systems, green shipping corridors and greening of ports through:

  • Policy and regulatory innovation aligned with international frameworks;
  • Deployment of clean technologies and fuels;
  • Mobilization of green and climate finance at scale

GGGI convenes governments, ports, industry, civil society and finance institutions to transform shipping from a source of environmental harm into a driver of sustainable development, while protecting oceans and coastal communities.

Green Shipping in the Pacific

Maritime transport is a lifeline for Pacific Island economies, connecting remote communities and enabling trade, tourism and access to essential goods. While the Pacific’s contribution to global emissions is negligible, the region is on the frontlines of climate change and has committed to ambitious decarbonization pathways.

GGGI is supporting Fiji, Tonga and Vanuatu through a USD 10 million program entrusted by the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries of the Republic of Korea to decarbonize maritime transport systems from 2024–2029. Working as an embedded advisor within national ministries, GGGI supports governments to:

  • Develop national roadmaps for green maritime transport;
  • Establish monitoring, reporting and verification (MRV) systems;
  • Pilot Alternative Marine Power (AMP) technologies;
  • Mobilize green and climate finance to scale solutions regionally.

This work recognizes shipping as essential infrastructure while ensuring that the transition to clean maritime transport strengthens resilience, protects marine ecosystems, and delivers long-term economic benefits for Pacific communities.

Green Shipping in Latin America and the Caribbean

In Latin America and the Caribbean, GGGI’s green shipping work is closely linked to advancing  regenerative blue economies and sustainable coastal infrastructure. GGGI supports countries in the region to mobilize capital for sustainable maritime and ocean-based sectors through innovative financing mechanisms, including thematic and blue bonds.

In Mexico, GGGI has supported the issuance of a  USD 350 million Blue Bond aimed at scaling sustainable fisheries and strengthening marine resource management.

By aligning finance, policy and infrastructure, GGGI helps countries in the region reduce environmental pressures from maritime activities while creating economic opportunities that support livelihoods, biodiversity protection and climate resilience.

Green Shipping in the Arctic

The Arctic is undergoing rapid transformation due to climate change. Between 2013 and 2024, shipping activity in the region increased by 37%, while the total distance sailed by vessels more than doubled. Emissions from fossil-fueled ships are accelerating Arctic warming, contributing to significant sea ice loss and severe impacts on biodiversity, indigenous communities and fragile ecosystems.

GGGI engages only to ensure that existing and emerging Arctic shipping activities are governed by the world’s strictest sustainability, equity and environmental safeguards and will advocate for:

  • Absolute decarbonization, with zero tolerance for HFO, LNG and black carbon emissions;
  • Zero pollution, including strict no-discharge zones and advanced wastewater treatment;
  • Protection of biodiversity, through ship speed limits, routing measures and noise reduction;
  • Indigenous-centered transitions, ensuring meaningful participation and direct benefits for Arctic communities

Events

GGGI brokers conversations between governments, ports and international bodies to strengthen global governance frameworks to advance green shipping corridors and port infrastructure readiness that balance climate goals, environmental protection and sustainable development.

Upcoming Events

  • 2 February 2026: High-Level Roundtable on Green Shipping Corridors and Ports, Arctic Frontiers Conference, Tromsø, Norway. More information here.

 

Other resources

Contact Person
Ingvild Solvang
Ingvild Solvang

Director of Program Development, Head of Front Office