Maritime decarbonization in Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and Least Developed Countries (LDCs) gained new momentum with the conclusion of the 2025 annual training cycle of GHG-SMART programme.
A total of 23 maritime professionals from 13 SIDS and LDCs completed a year-long capacity-building programme combining online and in-person training, engagement webinars, and theoretical assignments. The programme covered regulatory, policy, technological, and financial aspects of shipping decarbonization.
Participating countries included Bangladesh, Belize, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Dominican Republic, Guinea-Bissau, Madagascar, Mauritania, Mauritius, Nepal, Seychelles, Suriname, the United Republic of Tanzania, and Vanuatu.
Rajelle Barbe, Environment, Social Impact and Safety Manager from Seychelles said: "Seeing real-world solutions and learning alongside peers from SIDS and LDCs gave me a much clearer picture of what's possible for our port. The most valuable part was the peer exchange - hearing how others are tackling similar challenges and getting practical, honest advice from experts in the field, especially on financing opportunities which is crucial for our port".
Final 2025 GHG-SMART Practical Training in Busan
The programme concluded in November 2025 in Busan, Republic of Korea, with the final GHG-SMART Practical Training. Participants took part in interactive sessions, hands-on workshops and field visits to maritime institutions and industrial sites.
The event brought international experts from IMO, the World Maritime University (WMU), the Green Climate Fund, the World Bank, Ministry of Works, Transport and Infrastructure of Samoa and the Korea Maritime Transportation Safety Authority to share their institutional knowledge.
Esther Ken, Marine Pollution Officer from Vanuatu Maritime Safety Authority said: "At the national level, the lessons learned will help inform strategies to modernize port operations, adopt cleaner technologies, and strengthen regulatory frameworks, ensuring that our maritime sector remains competitive while reducing its environmental footprint."
GHG-SMART aims to support participants from SIDS and LDCs with the tools for them to identify and implement best practices aligned with the 2023 IMO GHG Strategy within their national contexts.
With the completion of the 2025 training cycle, more than 80 participants from 47 SIDS and LDCs have now been trained under the GHG-SMART programme.
The programme also awards full scholarships to the top performing candidates each year to pursue master's degree at WMU on maritime energy management to further advance their expertise.
