Port of Melbourne has joined a global forum of cities and ports that aim to advance maritime decarbonisation.

The C40 Green Ports Forum says the organisation provides a platform to exchange knowledge and collaborate on achieving climate goals in an economically sustainable way.

Located in Melbourne at the mouth of the Yarra River, the Port of Melbourne is Australia’s largest port for container and general cargo.

It recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with industry to explore the commercial feasibility of establishing a green methanol bunkering hub at the port.

CEO Saul Cannon says sustainability isn’t just a core strategy for Port of Melbourne, but is critical to the port’s future success.

“We are well placed to work on key sustainability efforts across the port’s supply chain and support the efforts of our stakeholders to progress decarbonisation, and minimise the port’s impact on our land, air and waters,” Mr Cannon said in a statement.

Lord Mayor congratulates Port

 City of Melbourne Lord Mayor Sally Capp congratulated Port of Melbourne for joining the Green Ports forum.

“As Australia’s largest container port, it facilitates more than one-third of the nation’s container trade. The port’s central location is an asset but also heightens the importance of its leadership in sustainability,” she said.

 C40 Regional Director for East, Southeast Asia & Oceania, Milag San Jose-Ballesterossaid International and regional collaboration is essential to accelerate climate action in the shipping sector and limit global heating.

“C40 welcomes the City of Melbourne and the Port of Melbourne to the Green Ports Forum, and recognises the growing commitments of cities and ports in the East, Southeast Asia and / Oceania region to collaborate towards decarbonising global supply chains,” she said.

“These actions create replicable and scalable models for other cities and ports to follow, strengthening climate resilience, improving public health, and delivering good, green jobs for port communities.”

Top global ports represented

Sydney and Melbourne are participating cities in the Green Ports Forum, along with Auckland, Barcelona, Copenhagen, Dubai, Durban, Guangzhou, LA, Lima/Callao, New York/Newark, Oslo, Rotterdam, Seattle, Shanghai, Singapore, Stockholm, Tokyo, Vancouver and Yokohama.

The ports forum, part of C40 Cities mayors group, includes working groups on green corridors, turning ports into energy hubs, ports as market makers, finance and technology.

The Ports & Shipping team was established in partnership with the City and Port of Los Angeles.

Port of Melbourne was previously operated by Port of Melbourne Corporation, a Victorian Government entity.

In 2016, Port of Melbourne Operations was awarded a 50-year lease of the Port of Melbourne by the Victorian Government. The Port of Melbourne Group is owned by a consortium of shareholders.