/ 01/24/2024

Purpose & Objective

The purpose of the meeting of the GreenVoyage2050 Project National Task Force (NTF) was to present and get inputs into the Rapid Assessment (RA) report on the status of the maritime greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the Solomon Islands and the progress made in drafting a National Action Plan (NAP) to reduce maritime GHG emissions.

Meeting Arrangements

Date: Wednesday 24 January 2024.

Location: Mendana Hotel, Honiara.

The National Task Force established under the GreenVoyage2050 Project at its meeting on 24 January 2024.

Proceeding & discussion points

Opening

The meeting was officially opened by Mr. Thierry Nervale, Director of the Solomon Islands Maritime Authority (SIMA), NTF Chairperson of the National Task Force (NTF) who welcomed the NTF members and reminded the project’s objectives and NTF role in overseeing the development of the RA and the NAP, discuss strategic actions and collaboration with long-term perspective of reducing maritime GHG emissions in Solomon Islands.

The introduction was followed by a word of prayer from Ms. Diana Vasula, Senior Officer, Sustainable Shipping Operations and the review and approval of the previous meeting minutes, meeting held on 19 April 2023.

Presentations and interactive sessions

Rapid Assessment

Mr. Allen Ofea, Principal Officer, Pollution and Safety Response presented the results of the Rapid Assessment. Chair emphasized the core findings of the RA which are the type of vessels in Solomon Islands that includes tugboats and barges, the age of the fleet, the increasing number of international vessels calls half being licensed fishing vessels, the question about integrating GHG emissions from the port infrastructure (Solomon Islands Ports Authority (SIPA)) and the need for robust and genuine partnerships.

Comments were made as follows:

1. the accuracy of fuel oil consumption data by ships and the quantity of oil imported going to the maritime sector must be resolved.
2. The age of the vessels imported must be considered now as they will have to be retrofitted and would still be in fleet in 2050.
3. A replacement programme is an imperative including building capacity and financing the transition if Solomon Islands do not want to be left behind.
4. Interventions from the government and subsidies must be coordinated to not create unfair competition, high risk for ship operators who will refrain from investing in new vessels.
5. The role ports must play in the transition not only in reducing their own GHG emissions but also in contributing to energy efficiency of international and domestic shipping.

National Action Plan

Ms. Diana Vasula, Senior Officer, Sustainable Shipping presented the content of the NAP and the proposed strategic actions from the RA. The NAP is structured around 4 main outcomes related to policies and laws, technologies and operations, capacity and governance and partnerships.

Comments were made as follows:

1. Policies and laws:
   • consideration should be given to include specific targets in the NAP which would be later integrated in policies and laws,
   • limit the age of vessels or integrate requirements related to the potential of ship to be retrofitted and improve energy efficiency,
   • consider registration of vessel as a mean of driving the transition to more energy efficiency and greener ships in the future.
2. Technologies and Operations:
   • discussions have taken place for the last three years in Solomon Islands, it is time to implement projects on the ground and showcase green technologies and operations in domestic shipping,
   • pilot projects should integrate data collection, energy efficiency measures, trailing new technologies and alternative fuels, and ship-port interface.
3. Capacity:
   • the Maritime College of the Solomon Islands National University (SINU) plays a central role and must be upgraded to train seafarers who need to acquire new skills,
   • strengthening the current partnership of the 5 partners should be a strategic action of the NAP.
4. Governance and partnerships:
   • core partnerships are essential between SIMA, SIPA, SINU and SIMTA (Solomon Islands Maritime Transport Association) to raise awareness on reducing GHG emissions from ships,
   • the transition will not happen if partners do not come with large-scale transformative projects and sustainable financing.

NTF members acknowledged the successful business model of SIPA which can fund its own initiatives and progress its Green Port initiative.

NTF members considered some pilot projects to be included in the NAP and requested support from partners.

Closing & Outcome

Chair closed the meeting with the suggested outcomes agreed by the NTF members:

1. Consolidate and communicate the Rapid Assessment.
2. Complete the drafting of the National Action Plan based on the proposed recommendations and feedback from the NTF meeting for final review at the next meeting.
3. Consider a media release or communication on the NTF meeting and progress in drafting the National Action Plan.
4. Call partners and the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to further support Solomon Islands in implementing the National Action Plan and pilot projects.

The NTF thanked again IMO for the support with the GreenVoyage2050 project and providing consultancy services to draft the NAP with Mr. Michael Niemann.

The NTF meeting was closed with a word of prayer by Mr. Simon Wame.

 

For any information, please contact SIMA at contact@sima.gov.sb or for more specific information on our actions to reduce maritime GHG emissions, please contact Mr. Allen Ofea at allen.ofea@sima.gov.sb. You can download the meeting report in PDF format by clicking on this link.

Event Programme

Time	Agenda Item	Presenters
Opening
0830 – 0900	Registration	SIMA
0900 – 0905	Introduction	Chair
0900 – 0910	Prayer	Diana Vasula
0910 – 0915	Approval of recent NTF meeting minutes and update activities related to reducing maritime GHG emissions.	Chair
Rapid Assessment of Maritime GHG emissions
0915 – 0930	Rapid Assessment presentation	Allen Ofea IMO Consultant
0930 – 1000	Rapid Assessment review and comment	NTF
1000 – 1030	Group Photo & Morning Tea
National Action Plan on Reducing Maritime GHG emissions
1030 – 1045	National Action Plan presentation	Diana Vasula IMO Consultant
1045 – 1145	National Action Plan review and comment	NTF
1145 – 1200	Wrap up and closing	Chair
1200	Lunch

 

List of participants

Name	Title
Mr. Thierry Nervale	Director SIMA (Chair).
Mr. Allan Lilia	Deputy Secretary Technical, Ministry of Infrastructure Development.
Mr. Selwyn Riumana	President SIMTA (Uta Shipping Co. Ltd, Ship Owner).
Mr. John Hugo Bugoro	Deputy Chair Board of SIMA.
Mr. Charles Pua	Interim Director, Solomon Islands Maritime College.
Mr. Simon Wame	Head of Engineering Department, Solomon Islands Maritime College.
Mr. Ashley Vasula	Energy & Utility Officer, Solomon Islands Ports Authority.
Ms. Joy Ririmae	Franti Shipping Co. Ltd, Ship Owner.
Ms. Miriam Korowa	Terminal Operations Manager, South Pacific Oil Limited.
Mr. Allen Ofea	Principal Officer, Pollution and Safety Response, SIMA.
Ms. Rachel Bare-Anita	Manager, Environment and Protection Department, SIMA.
Ms. Diana Vasula	Senior Officer, Sustainable Shipping Operations, SIMA.
Mr. Michael Niemann	IMO Consultant.
Mr. Roger Hou	Information Management & IT Support, SIMA.
Mr. Francis Pita	Officer, Environment Protection and Safety, SIMA.