CANBERRA, April 17 (Xinhua) -- Australia and Singapore have announced a new joint initiative to reduce maritime emissions.
Australia's national science agency, the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), on Wednesday announced the 20 million Australian dollar (12.8 million U.S. dollar) Australia-Singapore Initiative on Low Emissions Technologies (ASLET).
Under the partnership, the CSIRO will work with the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) on green shipping and port infrastructure initiatives and accelerating the uptake of zero or near-zero greenhouse gas emission technologies.
"In order to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions from international shipping close to 2050, we need to find reliable, trusted scientific solutions for the industry," CSIRO chief executive Doug Hilton said in a media release.
"Collaborating with MPA and also industry partners from both countries, we aim to accelerate the decarbonization of the supply chain and help revolutionize the industry."
The governments of Australia and Singapore signed a memorandum of understanding to collaborate on establishing a Green and Digital Shipping Corridor (GDSC) between the countries on the sidelines of the ASEAN-Australia Special Summit in Melbourne in March.
The ASLET partnership will support the outcomes of the GDSC.
Chief executive of the MPA Teo Eng Dih said that Australia's natural advantage for producing renewable energy and Singapore's status as a shipping hub would help the partnership deliver benefits to the GDSC and wider international maritime communities. ■
