PSA International has become the first global port operator to join the Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation (GCMD) as a strategic partner. This five-year collaboration aims to accelerate the adoption of low- and zero-carbon solutions across global port ecosystems.
Singapore, 5 June 2025 – The Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation (GCMD) and PSA International (PSA) today announced the signing of a five-year strategic partnership, marking a significant milestone in the global drive to decarbonise the maritime sector. With this collaboration, PSA becomes the first global port operator to formally join GCMD as a strategic partner, further solidifying Singapore’s leadership role in the maritime energy transition.
This partnership is set to transform how ports engage in and enable maritime decarbonisation. PSA’s entry brings critical port-side operational insights, enabling the real-world testing and implementation of low- and zero-carbon maritime technologies across the global supply chain.
Ports as Enablers of Maritime Decarbonisation
Ports are more than transit hubs—they are foundational to the energy transition within the maritime sector. As shipping lines begin transitioning from conventional fuels to alternative fuels such as green ammonia, methanol, and hydrogen, ports must undergo a parallel transformation.
This includes developing:
- Onshore power supply systems (cold ironing) to reduce emissions from berthed vessels.
- Fuel bunkering infrastructure capable of safely handling new fuel types.
- Emergency response protocols and safety standards tailored to hazardous fuels like ammonia.
- Storage and distribution systems integrated with downstream logistics networks.
GCMD has highlighted that port readiness is also pivotal for deploying emission-removal technologies such as onboard carbon capture and storage (CCS). The captured liquid CO₂ (LCO₂) must be offloaded and transported through port systems that are currently not equipped to manage this cargo. This gap underscores the strategic importance of PSA’s operational know-how and infrastructure.
PSA’s Global Presence to Drive Real-World Implementation
PSA International, headquartered in Singapore, is one of the world’s largest port groups, operating more than 70 terminals across 45 countries, including major energy and trade hubs such as Rotterdam, Antwerp, Mumbai, and Buenos Aires. PSA’s global scale, combined with its access to both mature and emerging economies, positions it as a key implementation partner for testing scalable decarbonisation pilots across diverse geographies.
By working with GCMD, PSA aims to:
- Pilot safety and operational protocols for bunkering and storage of alternative fuels.
- Assess compatibility of existing port systems with decarbonisation technologies.
- Establish harmonised safety standards, starting with high-risk fuels like ammonia.
- Strengthen supply chain resilience through its “Node-to-Network” strategy, integrating clean energy solutions into every point of the cargo journey.
Executive Remarks
Professor Lynn Loo, CEO of GCMD, commented:
“Given the safety considerations of alternative fuels and the complexities of deploying decarbonisation solutions, port operators are crucial partners for GCMD. Their involvement is key to making the use of future fuels and the offloading of CO₂ a routine part of port operations. PSA’s network of ports and terminals is a valuable platform for conducting real-world pilots, from which we can draw practical insights and recommendations to help build ecosystem confidence and accelerate shipping’s fuel transition.”
Ong Kim Pong, Group CEO of PSA International, added:
“As momentum builds in the maritime sector’s shift towards cleaner energy, the urgency to decarbonise and adopt low- or zero-carbon fuels and technologies has intensified. PSA, as a leading global port operator and trusted partner to cargo stakeholders, is well positioned to leverage its global network of strategic nodes and energy hubs to catalyse the sustainability transformation across the port and supply chain ecosystem. Our partnership with GCMD positions us at the forefront of the evolving energy landscape, enabling the adoption of future fuels while upholding the highest standards of operational excellence, in alignment with our Node-to-Network strategy.”
About PSA International
PSA International Pte Ltd (PSA) is a leading global port group and a trusted partner to cargo stakeholders. Headquartered in Singapore, PSA operates in over 180 locations globally, including major gateways and transhipment hubs. PSA handled more than 90 million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) in container volume in 2024, cementing its role as a key enabler of global trade and logistics.
PSA is actively driving innovation through:
- Sustainable port solutions, including electrification of port equipment.
- Digital supply chain platforms, such as CALISTA™.
- Partnerships with energy providers to support the use of renewable fuels and energy storage systems.
Its “Node-to-Network” strategy focuses on building a smart, resilient, and sustainable network that connects cargo flow from origin to destination with minimal environmental impact.
About the Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation (GCMD)
Founded in August 2021 and headquartered in Singapore, GCMD was established with an initial endowment of S$120 million from the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) and six founding partners: BW Group, BHP, Eastern Pacific Shipping, Ocean Network Express, Sembcorp Marine (now part of Seatrium), and Shell.
GCMD’s mission is to help the maritime industry eliminate greenhouse gas emissions by:
- Conducting feasibility studies and real-world pilot projects.
- Shaping future fuel supply chains.
- Developing technical and regulatory standards in collaboration with regulators and industry.
GCMD is currently spearheading projects involving ammonia bunkering trials, carbon capture onboard vessels, and establishing drop-in fuel verification frameworks, among others.
Source GCMG | PSA International