Port of Melbourne and Port of Tanjung Pelepas (PTP) are proud to announce the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) during the Australia at ASEAN Business Mission Reception in conjunction with the ASEAN Business and Investment Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
The MoU, which was exchanged between Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim last night at the 47th ASEAN Summit, marks a significant step forward in fostering bilateral cooperation focused on sustainability, innovation, and inclusivity in port operations.
As acknowledged by Prime Minister Albanese at the MoU exchange ceremony, "It's good that we've had all of those MoUs witnessed here today that will lead to further development."
The MoU outlines a shared commitment to advancing green and sustainable practices, promoting the decarbonisation of operational activities, and enhancing social responsibility and governance. The collaboration will be anchored in three key pillars:
- Maritime Emissions and Port Operations: Joint efforts in research and development, exchange of best practices, and support for international collaboration to reduce maritime emissions and improve operational efficiency.
- Alternative Fuels: Cooperation in exploring and developing alternative fuel solutions, including infrastructure development, policy alignment, and knowledge sharing to accelerate the transition to low-emission energy sources.
- Social Inclusiveness: Initiatives to promote inclusive employment practices, training programs, and employee engagement strategies that foster diversity and equity across the maritime workforce.
Port of Melbourne Chief Executive Officer Saul Cannon said, "This MoU reflects our commitment to being a future-focused port. We are proud to work alongside PTP to drive meaningful change in the maritime sector and support the decarbonisation of the global supply chain."
PTP Chief Executive Officer Mark Hardiman said, "As we mark 25 years of PTP's growth and evolution, this MoU with Port of Melbourne underscores our belief that meaningful progress in sustainability must be grounded in partnership. It is through shared frameworks, joint action and mutual respect that we will achieve tangible results in decarbonising port operations and advancing collaboration." The partnership between Port of Melbourne and PTP began in June 2023, facilitated by the Australian Government's Partnerships for Infrastructure (P4I) initiative through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).
"By creating trusted spaces for technical dialogue and peer exchange, Port of Melbourne and Port of Tanjung Pelepas, as industry leaders, are turning shared ambition into a practical partnership that advances greener, smarter maritime operations across the region. Facilitating Australian-Southeast Asian partnerships is core to Partnerships for Infrastructure's approach and we're thrilled to have played a part in the evolution of this MoU," said Simon Cramp, Strategic Director, Partnerships for Infrastructure.
Mr Cannon added, "This collaboration underscores Port of Melbourne's alignment with government priorities and our role in supporting Australia's international engagement. We look forward to deepening our relationship with PTP and continuing to explore opportunities that support sustainable growth, innovation, and shared prosperity across the region."
Port of Melbourne and PTP share a common vision for sustainable development, with both ports aligning their environmental and social objectives to global frameworks such as the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the Paris Agreement, and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs).
Malaysia remains a vital trading partner for Port of Melbourne, ranking as the fourth largest source of container imports and the fifth largest export destination by container volume. Since its establishment in 2000, PTP has grown from a bold idea into a global player. It is currently the world's fastest-growing port at +15.4% in the first half of 2025, marking the highest growth rate among the Top 30 global ports by Alphaliner. This MoU further strengthens the economic and strategic ties between the two nations.
This MoU is one of two sustainability-focused partnerships formalised by Port of Melbourne this month. Earlier in the week at the 2025 North Bund Forum, the Port officiated its collaboration with the world's largest port, Port of Shanghai, to explore the establishment of a Green Shipping Corridor between the two ports.