Wang, Kwo-Tsai, Minister of Transportation and Communications, led representatives from the Maritime and Port Bureau, Department of Navigation and Aviation, Institution of Transportation, Taiwan International Ports Corporation, CR Classification Society, Yang Ming Marine Transport Corporation, and Evergreen Marine Corporation to participate in the side events of the 11th APEC Transport Ministers Meeting on May 15 (U.S. time) under the theme- Starting APEC Green Shipping Cooperation. Minister Wang was invited to be the guest of honor for a speech and shared with APEC members the achievements of Taiwan’s maritime industry in reducing emissions, including actively purchasing and building dual-fuel eco-friendly ships and low-carbon ships, expanding the use of shore power for ships, developing low-carbon transformation strategies for ports. The speech also covered the strategies adopted by Taiwan’s shipping companies to promote green shipping corridors and their participation.
 
On the eve of the 11th APEC Transport Ministers Meeting, the U.S. held a side event themed Starting APEC Green Maritime Cooperation, and invited (deputy) ministers of transport and representatives of port management units from many member economies. The purpose of the event is to strengthen cross-border cooperation and to exchange and discuss the challenges, development directions, and  measures to be adopted in the face of the development of green shipping.
 
Minister Wang pointed out at the meeting that among the world’s top 20 container shipping companies, Taiwan has 3 seats, which are Evergreen, Yang Ming, and Wan Hai. The overall shipping capacity from the three companies together has exceeded one-tenth of the world’s total. Taiwan acknowledges its responsibilities in reducing global shipping emissions, and actively promotes measures related to green shipping . In terms of ship design and operation, the shipping industry is expected to purchase and build 33 dual-fuel eco-friendly ships and 46 low-carbon ships, and continue to increase the ratio of the fleet using ship shore power and to introduces intelligent monitoring systems. Taiwan's Yang Ming and Evergreen fleets have both achieved the goal of reducing carbon emissions by 40% by 2030 set by the IMO ahead of schedule. In addition, Yangming Shipping and Wan Hai Shipping have joined the Silk Road Alliance to participate in the promotion of green shipping corridors in Asia. Taiwan’s shipping companies concerned have also started planning to establish green corridors between major ports in Taiwan and those in the West U.S. This shows that Taiwan's determination in being part of the regional green shipping cooperation.
 
Minister Wang further pointed out in the meeting that to promote green shipping cooperation, it is necessary to formulate cross-regional and transnational policies or regulations, to involve stakeholders in the supply chain of the shipping industry, and to develop incentives to reduce the cost of the industry and enhance customers’ awareness as well as needs of green shipping. Taiwan looks forward to cooperating with international and regional partners to promote the use of green fuels, so as to accelerate the joint achievement of the global goal of net zero carbon emissions. The representatives in the meeting agreed that green shipping is the only way to achieve sustainable development and low-carbon economic transformation, and transnational exchanges and cooperation play an important role in it.
 
The Ministry of Communications pointed out that Minister Wang also had a preliminary exchange of views with Pete Buttigieg, Secretary of the US Department of Transportation, on issues including green shipping corridors and electric vehicles. He also interacted with the heads of transportation from Chile, Indonesia, New Zealand, the Philippines and Thailand. The exchange and interaction were lively. Plans in green shipping cooperation provide a good platform for promoting low-carbon sustainable development in the Asia-Pacific region, and also reflect the determination and responsibility of APEC economies to strengthen regional cooperation and promote low-carbon and sustainable development.
 
In addition, on the evening of the 15th, Minister Wang participated in the welcome reception hosted by the U.S. and took the opportunity to exchange ideas with the transportation leaders from Australia, Canada, South Korea, Malaysia, and Vietnam.