The Maritime Technology Cooperation Centre for the Caribbean (MTCC Caribbean), hosted by The University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT) recently concluded two high-impact workshops aimed at accelerating maritime decarbonisation efforts across the Caribbean region. These engagements included:

• a Regional Roundtable held in Trinidad and Tobago in collaboration with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the GreenVoyage 2050 Programme; and
• A National Workshop hosted in St Kitts and Nevis under the IMO–EU GMN Phase II Project, in collaboration with the St Christopher Air & Sea Ports Authority (SCASPA) and the Maritime Affairs Department of St Kitts.

The Regional Roundtable, held on January 29 and 30 January 2026, titled "Unlocking Maritime Decarbonisation in the Caribbean", brought together maritime administrations, port authorities, International Financial Institutions (IFIs), and maritime and energy technical experts to explore practical pathways towards regional maritime decarbonisation. The two-day roundtable was convened under the IMO's GreenVoyage2050 Programme, in collaboration with the GMN Phase II Project and MTCC Caribbean. The event saw over forty participants representing fourteen countries. Dialogues included discussions on the alignment of Caribbean development priorities with the 2023 IMO GHG Strategy, alternative fuels and energy pathways, identified investment and financing needs, and regional policy imperatives for cross-sector action to decarbonise shipping.

The Regional Roundtable participants were also invited to tour the Green Pioneer, an ammonia-powered demonstration vessel, showcasing the alternative fuel technology in operation. The visit provided participants with an example of emerging solutions for maritime energy transition and reinforced the importance of demonstration projects in building confidence, capacity, and regional ambition.

Building on the regional dialogue, the National Workshop in St Kitts and Nevis, held on February 4 and 5, 2026, focused on translating global and regional commitments into country-level action. The workshop, titled "Progressing Maritime Decarbonisation in St. Kitts and Nevis," convened with over forty participants from key national institutions including national ministries, port authorities, maritime administrators, utilities, and private sector stakeholders to assess the status of maritime decarbonisation on a national scale and to identify priority actions aligned with national climate and development goals.

The National Workshop also addressed cross-cutting themes critical to successful implementation, including access to climate finance, public–private partnerships, workforce development, and gender inclusion in maritime decarbonisation. Stakeholders engaged in interactive sessions to identify financing pathways, map institutional roles, and propose actionable steps to advance inclusive and bankable decarbonisation initiatives in St Kitts and Nevis.

A major milestone of the National Workshop was the installation of anemometers at two proposed wind turbine installation sites, to collect wind speed and direction data. The data will largely inform of the feasibility and power generation potential of each site, supporting emissions reduction, energy resilience, and long-term sustainability. This pilot project forms part of MTCC Caribbean's pilot project deliverables under the GMN Phase II Project.

Together, these workshops underscore MTCC Caribbean's continued commitment to supporting Caribbean States in bridging the gap between policy and practice. Through technical cooperation, capacity building, and pilot demonstrations, MTCC Caribbean continues to play a central role promoting the development of a sustainable and inclusive maritime sector in the Caribbean region and empowering maritime excellence.

Photos provided by SCASPA Communications Team