Port Hedland Industries Council has welcomed Pilbara Port Authority’s announcement of a new partnership with Japan’s Port of Himeji that will help PPA ports as they strive to become carbon neutral.
PPA – a PHIC member – has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Port of Himeji to boost renewable energy trade opportunities between Western Australia and Japan.
The MoU, announced by Premier Mark McGowan during a visit to Japan, will support cooperation and information exchange on renewable energy and net-zero carbon emission initiatives.
The Port of Himeji, in the western part of Japan, imports LNG, iron ore, oil, and salt from Pilbara ports.
PPA manages port operations at Port Hedland, Dampier, Ashburton, and Varanus Island.
PHIC Chief Executive Officer Kirsty Danby said knowledge gained through the MoU will assist the Port of Port Hedland as it seeks to become carbon neutral.
The Port of Port Hedland, the largest bulk export port in the world, is home to some of the world’s major mining companies, including PHIC members BHP, Roy Hill, Fortescue Metals Group, Consolidated Minerals, Mineral Resources, Pilbara Minerals and Sandfire Resources.
“PPA’s proactive approach to information sharing will benefit all the ports it manages,” Kirsty said.
“PHIC members are committed to reducing their carbon footprint. The knowledge gained through the MoU will complement strategies being devised by BHP, Roy Hill, Fortescue and others to reduce their carbon emissions, including at their port operations.
“The collaboration between the Port of Port Hedland and Port of Himeji will certainly provide benefits for all port users.
“PPA and port users have an excellent track record of working together to solve problems through innovate thinking and a collective approach. This will be boosted by the inclusion of expertise from the Port of Himeji.”
PPA Chief Executive Officer Roger Johnston and General Manager Trade and Development Lyle Banks were part of a delegation that accompanied the Premier on his Japan visit and met Himeji port management to learn about their carbon neutral port initiatives and plans for liquid hydrogen receival and storage.
Mr Johnston said: “I look forward to continuing collaboration efforts, which will include a visit to our ports by delegates from the Port of Himeji later this year, and ongoing information exchange.
“Climate change is a key focus area identified in our recently released Approach to Sustainability document, which includes reducing our emissions by 80 per cent by 2030 and achieving net zero emissions by 2050.”