Maersk is at the forefront of the effort to decarbonize the shipping industry through the adoption of green methanol. In a groundbreaking move, HyFuel Solar Refinery Pty Ltd, operating under Vast Renewables Limited, has secured AUD 700,000 to propel the development of South Australia Solar Fuels (SA Solar Fuels) project. This collaboration with energy giant Mabanaft aims to meet the rising demand for sustainable fuels in maritime and aviation sectors by producing green methanol as an alternative to conventional fossil fuels. The project, previously known as Solar Methanol 1 (SM1), plans to build a demonstration plant capable of generating 7,500 tonnes of green methanol annually, catering to the needs of car ferries and bulk freight shipping in Australia. By leveraging hydrogen-based sustainable fuel technology, the initiative presents an innovative solution to reduce carbon emissions in industrial and logistical operations. The project has completed its preliminary design phase and will now utilize the ASLET funding to optimize technical, regulatory, and commercial aspects before moving to the final engineering phase. This endeavor is part of the broader ASLET initiative, which aims to accelerate the transition to net-zero emissions in maritime and port activities, fostering economic cooperation between Australia and Singapore. The recent funding adds to previous financial support received by Vast and Mabanaft from various entities like ARENA and Projektträger Jülich, focusing on advancing renewable energy solutions. Craig Wood, CEO at Vast, expressed enthusiasm for the project, emphasizing its potential to significantly influence global fuel production decarbonization. The SA Solar Fuels project, to be located at the Port Augusta Green Energy Hub, will be powered by Vast's advanced solar thermal technology, promising cost-effective and continuous energy supply for green fuel production. Additionally, Calix, Vast's CO₂ partner, will assist in capturing industrial CO₂ emissions for the synthesis of sustainable fuels. Through this project, HyFuel Solar Refinery and its partners aim to foster scalable and sustainable fuel options, supporting the transition to cleaner energy and reducing dependence on fossil fuels while driving economic growth and innovation in the renewable energy sector.