The Port of Brisbane’s ‘Green Button’ trial project aims to reduce shipping emissions at the port level, in acknowledgement of the global shipping’s contribution to emissions as one of the top 10 polluting industries. This initiative integrates innovative physics-based modelling and a vessel emissions algorithm into the Port’s vessel management system (NCOS Online). By optimising a vessel’s target speed within operational channel transit windows, the ‘Green Button’ minimises emissions while maintaining productivity.
The Judging Panel recognised the project’s potential scalability and potential to deliver significant emissions reductions if replicated more broadly. It praised the early trial results from 2024, which showed the system could cut emissions by approximately 10 per cent per vessel with minimal impact on productivity.