AUSTRALIA and Singapore plan to establish a green and digital shipping corridor between the two countries by the end of 2025.
The announcement follows the eighth Australia-Singapore Annual Leaders’ Meeting, where Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and acting Prime Minister Lawrence Wong Shyun Tsai agreed to explore areas of co-operation in green and digital shipping.
The initiative would bring together ports, maritime and energy operators with regulators to develop low and zero-carbon supply chains, green port services and shipping operations and accelerate the development and uptake of green marine fuel.
The Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts and the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore are to lead the initiative.
“These authorities are working closely with port operators, relevant jurisdictions and maritime and energy value chain stakeholders on both sides to galvanise action to decarbonise and digitalise the shipping industry,” the parties said in a joint statement.
“Through coordinated efforts, DITRDCA and MPA aim initially to scope areas of mutual interest and collaboration to reduce carbon emissions in the maritime sector.
“This includes the establishment of low and zero-carbon fuel supply chains and greening port services and shipping operations to accelerate the development and uptake of green marine fuel sources.”
MPA and the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts would also look for “digital shipping solutions” to facilitate port calls, movement of goods and paperless handling between ports in Australia and Singapore.
The parties noted their ambitions align with the Green Shipping Cooperation initiative outlined in the Singapore-Australia Green Economy Agreement.
Federal minister for trade and tourism Don Farrell and Singapore’s minister for trade and industry Gan Kim Yong signed the agreement in October 2022.
“In view of the substantial cross-border trade between Australia and Singapore, this collaboration is a significant step towards exploring how both partners can take a global leadership role in optimising their shipping routes to test and trial green and digital solutions,” the parties said.
“This reinforces the importance of international cooperation in decarbonising shipping and the maritime industry.”
Mr Albanese said his visit to Singapore was an opportunity to map the next steps to implement the Singapore-Australia Green Economy Agreement.
“We are ambitious for what we can achieve together on the path to net zero, pushing boundaries and setting new standards to drive green trade and investment,” he said.
