MAITIME Industry Australia on Tuesday hosted its third maritime decarbonisation summit. After hosting summits in Melbourne and Sydney, MIAL held this event in Perth.

The summits are important opportunities for government and industry stakeholders to consult, collaborate and co-ordinate a path forward for the decarbonisation of the maritime industry.

This event comes shortly after the federal government announced funding to develop a maritime Emissions Reduction National Action Plan.

Federal minister for infrastructure and transport Catherine King gave the opening address for the summit.

She pointed out that Australia is dependent on shipping for nearly all of its trade, and it is the fifth-largest user of shipping services in the world.

“We have an almost unique interest and responsibility to develop global shipping in a way that is consistent with our national interest, and that means greener shipping,” Ms King said.

“As a future global supplier of renewable zero-emission energy, and one of the larger countries of the Oceania region, we should be looking to position ourselves to play a lead role in Asia-Pacific maritime decarbonisation.”

MIAL CEO Angela Gillham said the summit was a timely opportunity to explore in more detail what a Maritime Emissions Reduction National Action Plan might look like.

“Decarbonisation is both an enormous challenge and an unprecedented opportunity. MIAL is committed to supporting and enabling the many bold steps that must be taken to accelerate implementation,” she said.

“It is clear, listening to the presentations, announcements, and conversations taking place, that the maritime industry is willing and able to play a significant part helping Australia reach its 2050 net-zero emissions target.”

The summit program included presentations on local and international efforts at implementing low-emissions fuel technologies, an assessment of the challenges facing the industry and some strategies to overcome them, progress on international collaboration, and approaches to attract investment that will drive change.