Australia has published a national strategy aimed at building out green marine fuel bunkering capacity as part of its broader push toward net-zero shipping emissions by 2050, according to Ship & Bunker.
The Maritime Emissions Reduction National Action Plan (MERNAP), released on Wednesday, outlines a roadmap for decarbonising the country’s maritime sector, with a specific focus on the infrastructure needed to supply low-carbon fuels to vessels.
A Bunkering Strategy in the Works
According to Ship & Bunker, citing the national action plan, MERNAP calls for the development of a dedicated bunkering strategy to steer investment decisions around green marine fuels. As part of this process, the Australian government will review existing programmes already underway and work to pinpoint what the maritime sector actually needs to make the transition happen.
The plan does not stop at fuel supply alone. Ship & Bunker reports that MERNAP also pushes for investment in storage and bunkering facilities for low-carbon fuels, alongside shore power capability and broader port energy upgrades.
Ports as Transition Hubs
Per the plan’s outline, as detailed by Ship & Bunker, these port upgrades are intended to serve a dual purpose: supporting day-to-day domestic shipping operations while also reinforcing Australia’s ambitions as an exporter of low-carbon energy. Ports are positioned within MERNAP as key nodes linking domestic fuel demand with the country’s wider energy export strategy.
On the fuel mix itself, Ship & Bunker notes that Australia anticipates a diverse basket of options taking shape, including e-ammonia, e-methanol, e-LNG, biofuels and hydrogen — rather than a single dominant alternative fuel.
International Cooperation
MERNAP also extends beyond domestic borders. According to Ship & Bunker, the plan highlights collaboration with Singapore specifically on bunkering infrastructure and operational capabilities, while a separate strand of cooperation with South Korea focuses on alternative-fuel supply chains and getting port infrastructure ready for the transition.
Does this matter to you?
For those tracking how bunkering infrastructure is evolving across the Asia/Pacific region, MERNAP signals that Australia intends to become a more active participant in the alternative marine fuel supply chain, rather than a bystander. The plan’s emphasis on storage, shore power and port energy capacity suggests that Australian ports could gradually expand their fuel-supply options over time, which may be relevant for those planning long-term bunkering routes or assessing where future low-carbon fuel availability might emerge.
The cooperation with Singapore and South Korea, as reported by Ship & Bunker, also points to a regional dimension worth monitoring, since coordinated infrastructure development between these hubs could shape how alternative fuels move through Asia/Pacific trade lanes in the coming years. However, the source material does not provide a timeline or specific investment figures, so the concrete pace and scale of change remain unclear at this stage.
Gulf Bunkering does not provide operational or security guidance. This article is for informational purposes only. Operators should consult flag state authorities, P&I clubs, and relevant advisories for decisions relating to transit planning.
Sources: Ship & Bunker
