Decarbonisation of the Australian Maritime Industry – A Statement by Maritime Industry Australia LTD (MIAL) following its 6th Maritime Decarbonisation Summit, May 2026, Perth
MIAL members and delegates arrived in Perth in May to discuss maritime decarbonisation against a backdrop of a world profoundly changed since the Melbourne 2025 Summit, yet some things remained stubbornly the same.
The IMO MEPC met just prior to the Summit and continues to progress technical aspects through intersessional groups to design a Net Zero Framework palatable to the majority of member states and while significant uncertainly remains, cautious optimism is returning. Domestically, Australia has been reminded of our dependence on shipping to supply and export essential goods and move them around our coast in an efficient, reliable way, underpinning our economy and way of life. The events of the past year have seen our need for a sustainable and resilient sovereign maritime capability continue to grow.
As a nation, we have not moved at the speed required to diversify our fuel supply which would lend redundancy to imported product holding, and we do not yet have a clear maritime emission reduction pathway to provide industry the certainty required for business investment. Conversations regarding the need for decarbonization strategy seem to have slipped in their urgency against a background of geopolitical tension
and unpredictability.
There were points of progress noted at the Summit, however, with momentum gaining in green and digital corridors. In his keynote address, Australia’s Chief Scientist Professor Tony Haymet spoke of the near-term need to use existing tools better, allowing improved efficiency and the subsequent deployment of mature technologies at scale, while creating space for the next wave of innovations.
Practical steps, regional cooperation and lessons learned from pilot projects were shown to assist readiness across the industry. Panellists discussed the need to prepare for the energy transition regardless of regulatory maturity, as significant changes to infrastructure, bunkering supply chains and workforce preparedness are
not made quickly.
Australian innovation was on show, with several startups demonstrating new pathways for decarbonisation action across modular low carbon fuel production, AI integration for operational efficiency, developing electrified ocean networks and centering the seafarer in decarbonisation through ‘smart’ PPE.
MIAL welcomed budget announcements made during our Summit supporting demand side mechanism for Low Carbon Liquid Fuels and the development of a green bunkering strategy. This is the beginning of positive policy action that MIAL has long been advocating for, and we look forward to clarity from government on what the detail looks like.
As we navigate a new geopolitical reality, MIAL calls on the government to support and encourage maritime
decarbonisation action in the following ways:
- Finalise, release and resource the MERNAP to provide a pragmatic and practical policy framework that supports Australian maritime decarbonisation. Implementation should be supported by a standing government-industry forum.
- Continue to support and recognise the IMO as the global shipping industry regulator as a single global framework for shipping decarbonisation is progressed and ensure Australia remains internationally competitive by aligning domestic policy with evolving IMO frameworks and avoid fragmented or duplicated regulation.
- Co-design demand-side measures and green bunkering strategy announced in the 26/27 Budget with the Australian maritime industry to ensure policy settings are fit-for-purpose, support competitiveness and reflect operational realities. Engage with industry early and transparently when designing demand side interventions – any mechanism must not result in disadvantage to the maritime sector, noting its
integral nature to Australian security, resilience and productivity and inherent energy efficiency. - Continue to develop policy that supports the production, availability and uptake of ZNZ marine fuels in Australia.
- Identify and prioritise opportunities for public-private partnerships and strategic international alliances to accelerate the maritime sector’s transition to net zero.
Shipping underpins Australia’s economy and way of life — and its decarbonisation must remain a national priority.
