On January 23, 2026, the maritime decarbonization efforts in Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and Least Developed Countries (LDCs) received a significant boost following the completion of the 2025 GHG-SMART training cycle, as reported by the Hellenic Shipping News. This initiative saw 23 maritime professionals from 13 nations engage in a comprehensive capacity-building program that included both online and in-person training, webinars, and theoretical assignments. The curriculum focused on the regulatory, policy, technological, and financial dimensions of shipping decarbonization.
Countries represented in the program included Bangladesh, Belize, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and others. Participants expressed the value of peer exchange, with Rajelle Barbe from Seychelles highlighting the insights gained from collaborating with colleagues facing similar challenges. She emphasized the importance of practical advice, particularly regarding financing opportunities essential for port development.
The program culminated in November 2025 in Busan, South Korea, featuring interactive sessions, workshops, and field visits to maritime institutions. Esther Ken from Vanuatu noted that the insights gained would be instrumental in modernizing port operations and adopting cleaner technologies, thereby enhancing the competitiveness of their maritime sector while minimizing its environmental impact.
With the completion of this training cycle, over 80 participants from 47 SIDS and LDCs have benefited from the GHG-SMART program, which also offers scholarships for top performers to pursue master’s degrees in maritime energy management at the World Maritime University.
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