ASEAN Future of Maritime Conference sets course for greener, safer, and more inclusive maritime future

Kuala Lumpur, 17 July 2025 – Malaysia Maritime Week 2025 will host the inaugural ASEAN Future of Maritime Conference, a landmark event co-hosted by Malaysia’s Ministry of Transport, the ASEAN Secretariat, and the Australian Government. The Conference, held in support of Malaysia’s ASEAN Chair priorities, will convene leading maritime stakeholders from across ASEAN to chart a sustainable, safe, and inclusive future for the region’s vital maritime sector.

The Conference brings together port authorities, marine departments, and private sector leaders from all ASEAN Member States, for high-level discussions on maritime decarbonisation, safety, and the just transition. The Conference provides an essential platform for dialogue and partnership, fostering long-term technical cooperation, innovation and unlocking investment pathways to strengthen ASEAN’s maritime capacity and resilience.

The ASEAN Future of Maritime Conference is a critical step in advancing regional cooperation and innovation. By uniting governments, industry, and technical experts, the Conference will help position ASEAN as a global leader in sustainable maritime trade and connectivity. Supported by Australia’s flagship infrastructure initiative, Partnerships for Infrastructure (P4I) in collaboration with the Malaysia Shipowners’ Association (MASA), the Conference will leverage Australia’s proven expertise to support ASEAN’s vision for maritime connectivity. P4I launched its regional maritime decarbonisation cooperation in Malaysia in 2022 together with the Ministry of Transport (MOT) to establish the business case for investment in low-carbon fuels, a roadmap to unlock market opportunities for future fuels and a new regulatory framework to support the safe storage and handling of green fuels and boost investment in the sector.

Reflecting its consistent support for ASEAN connectivity, the Australian Government is investing $64 million over four years—including $40 million in new funding—to strengthen Southeast Asia Maritime Partnerships, announced at the ASEAN-Australia Special Summit 2024. This investment will drive technical assistance, foster regional collaboration, and unlock investment pathways for sustainable maritime development.

Australia’s collaboration on maritime decarbonisation strategies, such as greening port facilities, transitioning to low-carbon fuels, and developing green shipping corridors, has expanded to partnerships with Thailand and Viet Nam. In collaboration with the ASEAN Secretariat, P4I is supporting ASEAN’s Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity, advancing port digitalisation, automation, and public-private partnerships to boost maritime connectivity and competitiveness. In 2024, a delegation of Australian businesses in the maritime decarbonisation value chain participated in the first Australia-Southeast Asia Business Exchange to Malaysia and Singapore to increase two-way trade and investment opportunities between Australia and the region.

Quotes from Key Leaders:

“The ASEAN Future of Maritime Conference reflects the strength of Australia’s Partnerships for Infrastructure (P4I), which provides practical action on maritime decarbonisation. Now, by working closely with the ASEAN Secretariat and ASEAN Member States, Australia is sharing lessons, building institutional linkages, and accelerating collective progress across Southeast Asia. This is how Australia supports ASEAN’s vision for a more connected, climate-resilient maritime future,” said H.E. Tiffany McDonald, Australia's Ambassador to ASEAN.

“Australia’s partnership with Malaysia’s Ministry of Transport on the green bunkering regulatory roadmap is a prime example of how we can work together to enable the transition to alternative fuels and establish zero-carbon shipping corridors. By sharing expertise and aligning regulatory standards, we are laying the foundation for a more competitive and sustainable maritime sector that benefits all of us – Malaysia, Australia and the wider region,” said H.E. Danielle Heinecke, Australian High Commissioner to Malaysia.