In line with the International Maritime Organization’s focus on decarbonization, Malaysia aims to achieve 40 per cent of low-carbon fuel penetration for marine transport by 2050.
Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook said that the decarbonization of the maritime industry presented an opportunity for Malaysia to become a green fuel bunkering hub.
"Decarbonization of this sector presents an opportunity for Malaysia to position as a green fuel bunkering hub as Malaysia's ports account for 24 to 26 per cent of annual container throughput within Asean.
"The marine transport operations are also expected to include a diversified fuel landscape, characterized by the coexistence of e-ammonia and e-methanol.
"(And) these present promising prospects for fostering economic expansion in Malaysia, given the nation's strategic aspirations within the hydrogen economy," he said in his keynote address at the High-Level 15th Regional Environmentally Sustainable Transport Forum in Asia.
Also present was Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadhillah Yusof.
Loke also emphasized the importance of the aviation industry, noting Malaysia's acceptance of the Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) as an all-encompassing strategy to reduce carbon emissions and align with global aviation industry objectives.
"In the context of the aviation sector, Malaysia recognizes the importance of SAF as a holistic approach to reduce carbon emissions and align with global aviation industry goals.
"Malaysia's National Energy Transition Roadmap (NETR) also outlines three key initiatives to be implemented for this sector, including the development of a comprehensive aviation decarbonization roadmap, implementation of SAF blending mandate and conducting a palm oil-feedstock emissions study to ensure sustainable sourcing for SAF production."
In the same development, he added that Malaysia was also committed to the journey towards sustainable transport and was taking drastic actions to enhance the efficiency and sustainability of our transportation systems.
"As we see the effects of climate change taking hold, it is more important than ever to seek sustainable solutions, not only to create a cleaner and healthier world, but also to prevent catastrophic changes to the environment in the future.
"In this context, sustainability demands transportation that is low or zero-emission, energy efficient and affordable.
"Hence, Malaysia is firmly committed to this journey towards sustainable transport and is taking drastic actions to enhance the efficiency and sustainability of our transportation systems."