Japan’s Kobe Steel has joined the Blue Visby Consortium, becoming the first steel manufacturer to participate in the initiative aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions from maritime transport through digital technology.
The consortium is developing the Blue Visby Solution, a digital platform that optimizes vessel arrival times based on factors including ship performance, port congestion and weather forecasts. The system coordinates arrival times for multiple vessels bound for the same port while maintaining their order of arrival, reducing offshore waiting and fuel consumption.
According to the consortium’s verification, the solution can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by around 15pct.
Kobe Steel relies on maritime transport to import raw materials, including iron ore and coal. The company said participation in the consortium would help improve shipping supply-chain efficiency and support reductions in its Scope 3 COâ‚‚ emissions.
The Blue Visby Consortium brings together organizations from across the maritime sector, including shipping lines, ports, classification societies, insurers, trading companies and financial institutions. It is coordinated by Finland-based NAPA and international law firm Stephenson Harwood.
Kobe Steel said joining the consortium forms part of its green transformation initiatives under the KOBELCO-X programme and supports its broader carbon neutrality objectives.
Kobe Steel, Japan’s third-largest steelmaker, operates integrated steelworks in Kakogawa and Kobe, with diversified businesses in steel, aluminum, copper, and titanium.