National Australia Bank (NAB) has led the development of an important loan for Port of Newcastle (PON) that aligns financing for Australia’s largest east coast seaport with long-term environmentally and socially responsible outcomes.
The arrangement includes approximately US$400 million in sustainability-linked loans that incentivises Port of Newcastle by offering a lower margin on debt if it hits targets across a range of social and environmental metrics.
"This is the first sustainability-linked financing by an Australian seaport and the first such loan in Australia to include a modern slavery assessment metric addressing all of the borrower’s suppliers," said Port of Newcastle in its announcement.
The other four metrics focus on emissions reduction, mental health first aid, diversity and inclusion and achieving certified recognition against the NSW Government Sustainability Advantage Scheme.
Port of Newcastle CEO, Craig Carmody said this loan had created a way for the port to align its financing with long-term environmentally and socially responsible projects. “NAB is helping Port of Newcastle through financial innovation. This will in turn help create a more diverse and sustainable port in the future, supporting opportunities for jobs and economic growth in the Hunter region.” he noted.
Carmody added, “Our thinking must be in decades, not months or years. That means building new economic opportunities for Newcastle. What is good for the port is also good for the economy.”
In addition, NAB Group executive – corporate & institutional banking, David Gall mentioned that the bank was focused on being a partner with its customers, helping to adapt and improve the sustainability of their businesses through innovation and expertise in domestic and global markets.
The sustainability-linked loan was part of a broader US$516 million refinancing facility for Port of Newcastle funded by a consortium of lenders. It included US$461 million in 2.5-year and 5-year funding and up to US$39 million in new green lending that will fund growth initiatives aimed at green building projects and diversifying the port’s revenue base.
NAB acted as a core lender in the refinancing and, in its role as Sustainable Finance Structuring Coordinator, assisted in the development of both a sustainability-linked financing framework and green financing framework with Port of Newcastle.
The frameworks position Port of Newcastle for further sustainable debt issuance in the future.
Globally, this is the first sustainability-linked loan to align with the International Capital Market Association’s Climate Transition Finance Handbook.
Five Sustainability Linked Loan Metrics
Port of Newcastle will have the opportunity to earn a margin reduction over the next five years on the sustainability-linked loans if it hit targets across a range of social and environmental metrics.
1. To keep Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions below the 2025 trajectory level based on Port of Newcastle’s Well Below 2-degree scenario
2. 100% of all existing and new suppliers active during the relevant calendar year screened for modern slavery risk and demonstrated engagement where medium or high risk is identified
3. Establish an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander student internship program with The University of Newcastle
4. Achieve accreditation of a number of mental health first aiders in each company department.
5. Demonstrated progression under the NSW Government Sustainability Advantage Recognition Scheme
