In Australia, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between Port of Melbourne, Maersk, ANL (a subsidiary of CMA-CGM), Svitzer, Stolthaven Terminals, HAMR Energy, and ABEL Energy to explore the commercial feasibility of establishing a green methanol bunkering hub at the Port of Melbourne, Victoria (VIC).
The collaboration will examine a potential project involving the transportation of green methanol from production sites in Bell Bay, Tasmania (ABEL Energy), and Portland, Victoria (HAMR Energy) to Port of Melbourne for storage and bunkering services.
Victoria has the most ambitious decarbonization agenda in the country, and this announcement is another example of how we’re leading the development of renewable and alternative fuels, said Minister for Energy and Resources Lily D’Ambrosio.
The MoU provides a starting point for the parties to work together to explore the various elements of establishing a green methanol bunkering hub and identify any challenges that would need to be addressed.
We’re driving the biggest ports reform program in decades through our Victorian Commercial Ports Strategy and this announcement complements our work to protect the future of our commercial ports, which includes the Port of Melbourne as a hub for trade and to ensure it remains one of the biggest and best ports in the country, said Minister for Ports and Freight Melissa Horne.
Ideal partnership
HAMR Energy is developing a world-class green methanol facility in Portland, Victoria to accelerate shipping industry decarbonization which will rely entirely on natural and renewable resources available in Australia, commented David Stribley, Director and Company Secretary of HAMR Energy.
Together, Port of Melbourne, Maersk, ANL (a subsidiary of CMA-CGM), Svitzer, Stolthaven Terminals, HAMR Energy, and ABEL Energy bring a wealth of expertise and experience in the shipping and energy industries, making them ideal partners for this initiative.
Maersk has already ordered container vessels that will be operated on green methanol, which is a proven solution for reducing the shipping industry’s carbon emissions and mitigating its impact on the environment. As an island nation with a high dependency on ocean transport, it’s vital that Australia takes a leadership role to enable the fuel transformation from fossil to green fuel, said My Therese Blank, Maersk Regional Head of Market, Oceania.
Alternative energies are key to the reduction of carbon emissions throughout the supply chain. Green Methanol presents another excellent opportunity for the shipping industry to decarbonize and we are supportive of the robust exploration of a bunkering hub such as this, said Shane Walden, Managing Director of ANL.
Largest container port
It is through a partnership approach that we will best meet the future decarbonization challenges facing the wider shipping industry. Svitzer welcomes the MoU as an important step to driving greener shipping solutions in Australia, said Ivan Spanjic Global Head of Green Ports at Svitzer.
Stolthaven Terminals, part of Stolt-Nielsen Ltd, a global provider of bulk-liquid logistics, distribution, and storage services, operates a tank farm, Stolthaven Coode Island, in West Melbourne with a total storage capacity of over 25 000 m3.
Stolthaven Terminals is pleased to support this project – as well as many others worldwide – that enable the transition to greener energy alternatives. The scope of activities involved under this MoU will evolve as the collaboration progresses and the parties develop a clearer understanding of how our respective expertise can be combined on this potential project, said Ben Serong, General Manager of Stolthaven Terminals.
The Port of Melbourne is also Australia’s largest container port.
Decarbonization of the maritime industry is really gaining pace. As Australia’s largest container port with around 3 000 ships visiting annually, it makes sense that we look at ways to work together with customers, service providers, and producers to understand the needs of the market, said Saul Cannon, CEO of Port of Melbourne
ABEL Energy’s first Australian green hydrogen and methanol project will be built at the port of Bell Bay, using Tasmania’s renewable hydro and wind-based power supply, ended Michael van Baarle, CEO of ABEL Energy.
