The initiative focuses on creating international green shipping corridors connecting Eastern Canadian ports, such as Halifax and Montreal, with key ports in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. These corridors aim to adopt climate-neutral technologies to support sustainable maritime practices.
“Germany considers international cooperation vital in decarbonizing maritime shipping. We therefore support the adoption of globally binding measures at the International Maritime Organization as well as strong global partnerships to achieve true progress towards a sustainable and climate-friendly maritime sector as soon as possible. I would like to thank Canada for taking this initiative,” said Stutz.
The German government emphasized that the partnership encourages voluntary collaboration across the maritime industry to accelerate the shift to eco-friendly shipping. This effort aligns with Germany’s National Action Plan for Climate-Friendly Shipping, introduced last year, which outlines strategies to advance sustainable maritime practices.
Canada launched the Green Shipping Corridor Program in late 2023 to reduce emissions in major shipping regions, including the Great Lakes, the St. Lawrence Seaway, and Canada’s east and west coasts. The program, backed by an initial investment of approximately $165.4 million, operates through two funding streams: the Clean Ports stream and the Clean Vessel Demonstration stream.
In 2025, the Halifax Port Authority received up to C$22.5 million from Transport Canada to support the development of a Halifax-Hamburg green shipping corridor. This funding builds on prior collaboration between the Port of Halifax and the Port of Hamburg, formalized through an earlier MOU, and aims to prepare the port for future sustainable fuels and energy sources.
The initiative reflects a shared commitment to fostering environmentally responsible shipping practices through global cooperation and innovative technologies, contributing to a more sustainable maritime industry.
