Projects get ASLET funding for marine emission reduction

EIGHT projects have been selected by Australia and Singapore as part of a $20 million initiative to help reduce emissions in the maritime sector. 

The Australia-Singapore Initiative on Low Emissions Technologies (ASLET), jointly hosted by the CSIRO and the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore on behalf of their respective governments, supports the objectives of the Singapore and Australia Green and Digital Shipping Corridor (GDSC), which will help accelerate decarbonisation and digitisation of shipping routes between Singapore and Australia.  

The ASLET grant opportunity was launched in July 2024 to support projects that will help accelerate the deployment and uptake of zero or near-zero greenhouse gas emission technologies for maritime and port operations.  

A total of 32 applications were received from universities, research institutes and industry based in Australia and Singapore.  

The eight projects selected for funding cover a range of activities, including innovations in the supply, transport, storage, dispensing and maritime utilisation of hydrogen, ammonia and methanol, as well as safety and environmental monitoring, and electrification.  

The selected projects have also attracted co-contributions and are expected to be completed within the next two years.

ASLET for Maritime and Port Operations aims to accelerate towards a net-zero emissions future while delivering bilateral economic benefits. The objectives of the ASLET grant opportunity are to provide funding to projects that will contribute to the following outcomes:

• Reduced costs of using low emissions fuels and technologies, including clean hydrogen and its derivatives, in maritime and port operations.
• Improved technical and commercial readiness of low emissions fuels and technologies in maritime and port operations, including industry awareness and acceptance.
• Improved industry investment in, and uptake of low emissions technologies in Australia and Singapore, as well as increased economic and employment opportunities.
• Reduced emissions in Australia and Singapore through contribution towards national emissions reduction targets and global emissions reductions targets set by the International Maritime Organisation for shipping.
• Strengthened connections among Australia and Singapore maritime and port industry users, technology suppliers, researchers, and other relevant industry participants.