Australia and Singapore have joined forces on a $20 million initiative aimed at reducing emissions in the maritime sector.
The Australia-Singapore Initiative on Low Emissions Technologies (ASLET) for maritime and port operations is being jointly delivered by CSIRO and the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA).
ASLET is designed to accelerate the decarbonisation of the maritime sector in both countries and support the outcomes of the Singapore and Australia Green and Digital Shipping Corridor (GDSC).
The GDSC aims to decarbonise and digitise shipping routes between Singapore and Australia.
ASLET is expected to unlock new fuel solutions and accelerate the deployment and uptake of zero or near-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emission technologies at scale.
MPA Chief Executive Teo Eng Dih expressed optimism about the partnership, stating: “ASLET has the potential to translate research outcomes from the scientific community from both countries and to use these technologies to help scale up the production and deployment of low-emissions fuels and technologies at scale.”
CSIRO Chief Executive Doug Hilton highlighted the importance of collaboration in addressing key industry challenges faced when adopting low-emission fuels.
“In order to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions from international shipping close to 2050, we need to find reliable, trusted scientific solutions for the industry,” said Hilton.
The first ASLET Steering Committee meeting — led by representatives from MPA, CSIRO, and Singapore’s Agency for Science, Technology, and Research (A*STAR) — was convened on 19 April at the Singapore Maritime Week 2024.
The Steering Committee aims to provide strategic direction and evaluate and approve projects on low emission technology projects for maritime and port operations.
Both Singapore and Australia have committed up to $10 million each in their respective currencies to deliver projects under the initiative, with additional industry co-funding expected.
The initiative will facilitate the research, demonstration, and commercialisation of zero and near-zero greenhouse gas emission technologies, fuels, and energy sources for use in maritime shipping and port operations.
The ASLET initiative marks a significant step forward in the global effort to reduce emissions in the maritime sector, leveraging the expertise and resources of Australia and Singapore to drive innovation and sustainability in the industry.
