Ports of Melbourne and Tanjung Pelepas sign MoU

A SHARED commitment to advancing green and sustainable practices is the focus of a memorandum of understanding signed between the ports of Melbourne and Tanjung Pelepas (Malaysia).

The signing occurred this week as part of the ASEAN Business and Investment Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

The MoU was exchanged between Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

It is said to mark a significant step forward in fostering bilateral cooperation.

The MoU is said to outline “a shared commitment” to advancing green and sustainable practices, promoting decarbonisation and enhancing social responsibility and governance.

Three key points are listed:

1. Maritime Emissions and port Operations: Joint efforts in research and development, exchange of best practices, and support for international collaboration to reduce maritime emissions and improve operational efficiency.
2. Alternative Fuels: Cooperation in exploring and developing alternative fuel solutions, including infrastructure development, policy alignment, and knowledge sharing to accelerate the transition to low-emission energy sources.
3. Social Inclusiveness: Initiatives to promote inclusive employment practices, training programs, and employee engagement strategies that foster diversity and equity across the maritime workforce.

Port of Melbourne chief executive Saul Cannon said the MoU reflected their commitment to being a future-focused port.

“We are proud to work alongside PTP to drive meaningful change in the maritime sector and support the decarbonisation of the global supply chain,” Mr Cannon said.

Port of Tanjung Pelepas chief executive Mark Hardiman said the MoU underscored their belief in meaningful progress towards sustainability.

“It is through shared frameworks, joint action and mutual respect that we will achieve tangible results in decarbonising port operations and advancing collaboration,” Mr Hardiman said.

Mr Cannon said the collaboration underscored Port of Melbourne’s alignment with government priorities and our role in supporting Australia’s international engagement.

“We look forward to deepening our relationship with PTP and continuing to explore opportunities that support sustainable growth, innovation, and shared prosperity across the region,” he said.

According to a joint statement, Port of Melbourne and PTP share a common vision for sustainable development, with both ports aligning their environmental and social objectives to global frameworks such as the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the Paris Agreement, and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs).

Malaysia is an important trading partner for Port of Melbourne, ranking as the fourth largest source of container imports and the fifth largest export destination by container volume.

This MoU is one of two sustainability-focused partnerships signed by Port of Melbourne this month.

The port signed off on an agreement with the Port of Shanghai earlier this week, exploring the creation of a green corridor between the two ports.