Charting green course: Is Malaysia steering towards zero-emission ports?
Sabah Ports Sdn Bhd has already demonstrated foresight with initiatives like solar power installations in Tawau and the exploration of electrified Rubber-Tyred Gantry Cranes (e-RTGs) at Sapangar Bay Container Port.
The global maritime industry is abuzz with a powerful new vision: the zero-emission container port.
This isn't a distant dream, but a pressing global mandate, championed by alliances like the Zero Emission Port Alliance (ZEPA). The question for Malaysia, strategically positioned along the world's busiest shipping lanes, is whether we are truly pulling our weight in this critical race.
Malaysia has undeniably begun its journey towards greener ports, taking tangible steps and laying crucial groundwork. However, these efforts remain incremental, often confined to pilot projects, facing considerable hurdles before a systemic shift can be achieved.
A cornerstone of zero-emission ports is the transition to Battery-Electric Container Handling Equipment (BE-CHE). Here, Malaysia shows promise. Westports Malaysia has emerged as a clear leader, implementing significant pilot projects with battery-electric Rubber-Tyred Gantry Cranes (e-RTGs) and terminal tractors, directly slashing diesel consumption and emissions. The Port of Tanjung Pelepas (PTP) is also actively exploring electrification. Meanwhile, Sabah Port Sdn Bhd has wisely pursued solar power installations for its warehouses in Tawau and is pursuing similar initiatives at Kota Kinabalu Port. However, it has been forced to slow down due to bureaucracy within the Energy Commission of Sabah (ECoS) in approving the project.
The challenge remains scaling these successful pilots to a complete replacement of existing fleets, a feat still being pioneered globally by leaders like Yantai Port in China and European ports such as Gothenburg and Hamburg.
Besides focusing on equipment, people are starting to pay more attention to using cleaner fuels like hydrogen to cut down pollution from shipping and trucks. Malaysia has some big advantages, like lots of untapped renewable energy and government support. For example, Sarawak is testing hydrogen-powered buses. Malaysia has a national plan (called the Hydrogen Economy and Technology Roadmap) to become a hydrogen exporter by 2050. But for now, there are still big challenges to get hydrogen or ammonia fueling stations running on a large scale — things like making 'green' hydrogen, ensuring safety, and managing costs. Meanwhile, making all the port trucks (drayage trucks) switch to cleaner energy is a huge task that's barely started.
On the governance side, big companies like Westports and PTP regularly share reports on how they plan to reduce emissions. The National Energy Transition Roadmap (NETR) outlines the country's overall plan to support green transport and hydrogen development. However, there are still no detailed, cost-effective, port-specific plans that spell out exactly how to get to zero emissions, including clear targets and deadlines.
Translating these broad national goals into real, mandatory steps and investments at each port still needs more work.
Perhaps Malaysia's most significant gap lies in shore power, or 'cold ironing.' This technology, allowing berthed ships to plug into the grid and switch off polluting engines, is notably absent in our container ports.
High capital costs and complex coordination have stalled progress, leading to continued emissions of local air pollutants (SOx, NOx, PM) and CO2 from vessels at berth – a major missed opportunity.
While Malaysian ports are engaged in broader sustainability efforts, these alone will not achieve zero emissions. The core focus must be on intensifying emissions from primary sources: equipment, ships and land transport. And while collaboration exists, it needs to deepen into active partnerships for co-investment in shared infrastructure and enforceable standards.
The road ahead is fraught with challenges: the enormous cost of transformation, the need for robust infrastructure, and reliance on evolving technology. Most critically, collaboration needs to become more formalized and action-oriented across all stakeholders – government, port authorities, operators, shipping lines and energy providers.
Malaysia's efforts are a meaningful start, but they are preliminary. The urgency of the climate crisis and the ambitions of leading global ports demand a decisive leap beyond incrementalism. To truly contribute its fair share, Malaysia needs:
· Mandatory Shore Power Roadmaps: Policy must drive installation, with incentives leading to mandates.
· Accelerated Fleet Electrification: Move beyond pilots to comprehensive, funded programs for all major terminals and targeted efforts for zero-emission drayage trucks.
·From Hydrogen Strategy to Port Pilots: Translate national strategy into concrete, funded pilot projects for green hydrogen production and bunkering infrastructure.
·Binding Port-Specific Zero-Emission Roadmaps: Each major port must publish a detailed, costed, time-bound roadmap, integrated into its master plan.
·Enhanced Collaboration Ecosystem: Establish formalized platforms for co-investment in shared infrastructure and coordinated action among all stakeholders.
Malaysia has the foundational elements and the will. But transforming our vital maritime gateways into true zero-emission hubs requires significantly escalated ambition, bolder policy, massive, targeted investment, and unprecedented industry-wide cooperation. This is not a challenge for Westports or PTP alone; it's a national endeavor that extends to every corner of our maritime landscape, including the crucial ports of Sabah.
With its strategic location at the heart of the BIMP-EAGA region and its growing economic importance, the push for green ports is particularly vital for Sabah. Sabah Ports Sdn Bhd has already demonstrated foresight with initiatives like solar power installations in Tawau and the exploration of electrified Rubber-Tyred Gantry Cranes (e-RTGs) at Sapangar Bay Container Port. These early steps, though pilot in nature, show a commitment to environmental responsibility. However, the path to a truly zero-emission future for Sabah's ports – from the bustling Sapangar Bay to the smaller yet critical gateways like Tawau and Sandakan – will demand a significant acceleration of these efforts. It means overcoming challenges in infrastructure, attracting green investments, and ensuring policies are tailored to Sabah's unique geography and operational needs. The vibrant blue waters surrounding Sabah, a crucial part of its identity and economy, underscore the urgent need for its ports to lead by example in maritime decarbonization.
The journey has begun, but the pace must quicken dramatically across the entire nation, including the unique and vital contributions of Sabah's ports, if we are to truly embrace the green horizon and secure a sustainable future for our seas and our economy.
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