Chilean state-owned copper producer Corporación Nacional del Cobre de Chile (Codelco) and NYK Bulk & Project Carriers (NBP), an NYK Group company, have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to jointly study the decarbonised transportation of copper products.
The two companies will jointly promote the evaluation and development of next-generation fuel technologies and study the use of decarbonised vessels for oceangoing transport of copper products. Global demand for copper is expected to increase in the future due to the expected development of power grids for offshore wind power generation and the spread of electric vehicles. Codelco and NBP aim to contribute to the realisation of a decarbonised society by transporting and supplying copper products with low environmental impact transportation.
The two companies will collaborate by taking advantage of each company’s strengths and experience, with a view to involve third parties in the future, to decarbonise the supply chain of copper products.
Máximo Pacheco, Chairman of the Board, Codelco, said: “We have signed with NBP an MOU to jointly explore a technology based on next-generation fuels that allows us to advance in the decarbonisation of the shipping transport of our products. This is a significant step for Codelco in its desire to reduce the carbon footprint of its work, not only with respect to direct emissions, but also indirect emissions, as in this case.”
Motoyuki Nose, President, NBP said: “We have deepened our relationship with Codelco for more than 30 years, mainly through oceangoing transportation of copper products by bulk carriers. I am very honoured to be able to work with Codelco to promote joint studies in various fields toward the decarbonisation of oceangoing transportation of copper products. We, as a specialised company in transportation using handy bulkers, multipurpose ships, heavy-lift ships, and self-propelled deck carriers, aim to contribute to decarbonisation of the world in cooperation with customers by taking the maximum advantage of the knowledge and technology that the NYK Group has accumulated.”
