Australia's first Maritime Emissions Reduction National Action Plan aims for net-zero emissions by 2050, focusing on sustainable maritime practices.
Australia has introduced its first comprehensive Maritime Emissions Reduction National Action Plan (MERNAP), a key step toward achieving its 2050 net-zero emissions target.
The plan, released by the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts, prioritises port infrastructure upgrades, low-carbon fuels, green shipping corridors, and next-generation vessel technologies to decarbonise the maritime sector.
MERNAP outlines seven priority areas, including energy systems, ports, international shipping, domestic vessels, and workforce development. Key measures include expanding low-carbon fuel storage and bunkering facilities, investing in shore power systems, and enhancing port energy capacity. The government will also evaluate emissions savings through initiatives like maritime single windows and just-in-time vessel arrivals. Green shipping corridors will serve as testing grounds for energy-efficient technologies, low-carbon solutions, and innovative vessel models.
To support these efforts, regulatory barriers to adopting new vessel technologies and alternative fuels will be addressed in collaboration with the Australian Maritime Safety Authority. MERNAP complements existing policies, bolstered by major investments like the AUD 1.1 billion Future Made in Australia - Clean Fuels program and AUD 4 million allocated for a green maritime fuels bunkering strategy. Other key initiatives include AUD 51.7 million for a maritime single window and AUD 55 million for Transport Resilience and Efficiency Pilots. At the Port of Newcastle, AUD 100 million will fund the development of a clean energy industrial precinct to produce, store, and export clean fuels like hydrogen and ammonia.
Australia's heavy reliance on maritime trade underscores the significance of this plan. Around 99% of Australia's import and export cargo moves by sea, with over 6,000 vessels making more than 30,000 port visits annually. Domestically, shipping contributes approximately two million tonnes of CO2 equivalent, around 2% of national transport emissions.
MERNAP aligns with the International Maritime Organization's 2023 greenhouse gas reduction strategy, reinforcing Australia's role in global decarbonisation efforts. The country is already on an ambitious emissions reduction trajectory, aiming to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 62-70% below 2005 levels by 2035. With MERNAP, Australia positions itself as a leader in transitioning to a cleaner, greener maritime future.
