Pilbara Ports leading the world in decarbonisation says GMF

AUSTRALIA’S iron ore corridor leads the world in the global decarbonisation push according to the Global Maritime Forum’s (GMF) world-leading decarbonisation expert, Jesse Fahnestock.

The Swedish-based decarbonisation director of GMF told Daily Cargo News that Australia’s maritime industry has “unique strategic advantages” in the global shift to zero‑emission shipping, but must act quickly to capture them.

Speaking to DCN following the release of the federal government’s Maritime Emissions Reduction National Action Plan (MERNAP), Mr Fahnestock said Australia was emerging as a natural leader, particularly through the Pilbara iron‑ore trade, but warned that momentum must now translate into investment and policy support.

Mr Fahnestock said MERNAP was “a really good sign” for the sector, noting strong engagement between government and industry. “There’s been great engagement with the industry, which is a big part of what we think is important — understanding what’s possible and what’s needed,” he said.

He highlighted Australia’s role at the IMO, where it led work on the net‑zero framework. “Australia being the lead author on the circular and supporting the net‑zero framework at the IMO this summer is a very good sign,” he said.

Mr Fahnestock said the Pilbara iron‑ore corridor remained one of the world’s most advanced green‑corridor candidates. “Not to put too much pressure on our Australian friends, but that corridor is, in my view, furthest ahead amongst the big routes where large vessels are trafficking,” he said.

He pointed to Pilbara Ports Authority’s ammonia‑bunkering simulation and upcoming trials as examples of credible progress. “They’ve really embraced their role… they see their role in this as an enabler.”

But he warned that miners, the largest source of Australia’s shipping emissions, must remain central. “Without the miners, it’s not going to happen.”

Mr Fahnestock said global green‑corridor development is progressing, but slowly. “Mostly we’ve had a lot of announcements… not many have gotten past that,” he said, adding that only a handful of corridors globally are likely to commercialise ammonia or methanol by 2030.

He also cautioned that meeting IMO’s 2030 and 2040 checkpoints will be “very challenging” without global regulation. “There’s no reason to be particularly optimistic about those goals,” he said.

Mr Fahnestock said Australia risks missing a major industrial opportunity if it does not move quickly on alternative fuels. “There’s a less appealing scenario where this transition happens and Australia hasn’t captured all of its potential strategic advantages… action now is the only option,” he said.