Advancing National Action on Maritime Emissions through Capacity-Building in Two Asian Pilot Countries (Philippines and Viet Nam) for the Development of National Action Plans and Implementation of the 2023 IMO GHG Strategy.

Overview

The SMART-C GHG Project was implemented by the IMO under the IMO–Republic of Korea SMART-C Partnership Programme, a capacity-building initiative supporting the Philippines and Viet Nam to develop and implement National Action Plans aligned with the 2023 IMO Revised GHG Strategy. The project strengthens institutional and technical capacity for systematic GHG emission data collection, management, and analysis across the maritime sector, including domestic shipping and ports, using IMO Emission Toolkits and the Data Collection System. By bridging the gap between data collection and evidence-based policymaking, enhancing regulatory alignment, and promoting stakeholder engagement, the project enables informed decisions on decarbonization technologies. It also incorporates a regional dimension to share knowledge and best practices with other ASEAN countries, fostering harmonized maritime emission reduction efforts.

Goal and Objectives

The SMART-C GHG Project aim to support the Philippines and Viet Nam in developing and implementing national maritime GHG reduction policies under the 2023 IMO Revised GHG Strategy. It strengthens capacity for systematic collection, management, and analysis of emissions data, including domestic fleets and ports using IMO Emission Toolkits, enabling evidence-based decision-making and technology adoption. The project enhances regulatory alignment, compliance with MARPOL GHG measures, and institutional readiness through targeted training for maritime authorities, port State control officers, flag State inspectors, and seafarers. By engaging stakeholders, promoting regional collaboration, and ensuring gender-balanced participation, the project establishes a sustainable, data-driven framework to advance low-carbon maritime operations and contribute to global climate goals.

The Issue

Despite the adoption of the 2023 IMO GHG Strategy, developing countries such as the Philippines and Viet Nam face significant challenges in its requirements. Although emission data is collected through the IMO Data Collection System, it is often underutilized in national decision-making, limiting its integration into National Action Plans and regulatory development. Institutional and technical capacity to collect, manage, and analyse maritime GHG emissions, particularly from domestic shipping and ports is insufficient, while financial and infrastructure constraints restrict investment in robust data systems. Gaps between national regulations and evolving international maritime decarbonization requirements create compliance risks, and limited expertise hinders the evaluation and adoption of suitable emission-reduction technologies. Also, weak coordination among key stakeholders further undermines effective implementation. These challenges highlight the need for a structured, data-driven capacity-building initiative to strengthen national systems, enhance regulatory alignment, improve stakeholder coordination, and enable evidence-based decisions for a sustainable, low-carbon maritime sector.

Key Activities

1 Development and implementation of GHG emission data collection/monitoring system, utilizing IMO GHG emission toolkits, to support the development of National Action Plans (NAPs)-

  • Identify the needs of the participating member States in terms of GHG emission data collection system using the IMO emission toolkits in the context of IMO’s GHG strategy and National Action Plans (NAPs)
  • Consult, develop and implement an emission data collection system to quantify and monitor the GHG emissions from the maritime sector including domestic shipping and ports
  • Capacity-building workshops to implement GHG emission data collection system from ports and domestic shipping using IMO emission toolkits. (Training for maritime administrations on maritime emission data collection, Create a component of high GHG Emissions in the RISK matrix, Train flag state inspection officers (FSIO) and port State control officers (PSCO))

2 Analysis of the GHG emission data collected from ports and shipping (including domestic) to identify potential emission reduction measures and technologies that can support their NAPs

  • Categorize the vessels in the data management system appropriately based on their technical, operational and emission profiles.
  • Assess the potential reduction required to comply with the requirements of the MARPOL Regulations and ambitions as set by the 2023 IMO GHG Strategy.
  • Identify the potential technologies appropriate to deliver the potential reductions for vessels in the data management system.
  • Support and facilitate engagement of relevant stakeholders (tech providers, financers and tech users) for uptake of identified potential technologies.

3 Evaluation of regulatory and technological needs related to maritime GHG emission reduction ambitions and identification of support to relevant stakeholders (ship/port operators and seafarers) to implement GHG emission regulations

  • Assess the existing national regulations and determine areas where existing regulations are insufficient, or inconsistent with international maritime decarbonization ambitions as set by the 2023 IMO GHG Strategy.
  • Appraise the challenges and opportunities in response to implementing the maritime GHG emission regulations as required by the MARPOL and support ship/port operators to develop the ‘Implementation plans’ to comply with the maritime GHG emission regulations. Also deliver targeted training programmes for the seafarers through the maritime training institutes of the two countries.

2025-Progress Report

Regional Inception Workshop on Strengthening Capacity for Emissions Data Systems and NAP Development: The Regional Maritime on GHG Emissions Data and National Action Plans workshop, held in cooperation with UN ESCAP at the UNCC in Bangkok from 9 to 11 June 2025, supported ASEAN Member States in strengthening capacity in emissions data systems and NAP development, enhanced understanding of data management frameworks, and facilitated regional knowledge sharing and dialogue, promoting closer alignment with global decarbonization targets. The event brought together representatives from 8 ASEAN countries to exchange practical tools and experiences for advancing maritime decarbonization and NAP formulation.

Training of Seafarers Handling Alternative Fuels: In July 2025, SMART-C GHG supported the delivery of an ITCP activity, namely the Regional Train-the-Trainer (TTT) Workshop on Seafarers on Ships Using Alternative Fuels and New Technologies, to allow broader participation of Member States in the region. The joint effort contributed to strengthening the governance capacity of Member States in the safe handling and regulatory oversight of alternative fuels and laid a foundation for the roll-out of seafarers training assistance in the pilot countries under the project.

Building the Foundation of Vietnam’s NAP on Maritime Decarbonisation: From 23–24 October 2025 in Ha Noi a National Workshop on “Building the Foundation for Viet Nam’s National Action Plan on Maritime Decarbonisation, convened national key stakeholders to support alignment with the 2023 IMO GHG Strategy. The workshop enhanced awareness of emissions monitoring and reporting practices, identified gaps in GHG data collection, and clarified priorities for policy, technical capacity, and institutional coordination. It laid the groundwork for Viet Nam’s NAP development and provided a structured basis for subsequent technical and policy actions under the project.

SMART-C Leaders–GHG Joint Seminar in Advancing Regional Cooperation: On 21 October 2025, the SMART-C Leaders and GHG Seminar in the Republic of Korea strengthened regional capacities in maritime decarbonisation and climate leadership across Vanuatu, Viet Nam, the Philippines, Tonga, and the Republic of Korea. The workshop enhanced technical understanding of GHG emissions management, facilitated knowledge exchange on low- and zero-carbon shipping, and promoted policy alignment with the IMO 2023 GHG Strategy. Participants identified priority areas for support, addressed capacity and data gaps, reinforced institutional capacity, and fostered multi-sectoral dialogue, establishing a foundation for IMO-aligned National Action Plans, evidence-based decision-making, and accelerated maritime decarbonisation across the region.