Decarbonization News

LNG and methanol create path dependencies that divert investments from shipping’s long-term decarbonization pathway, a new study by UCL academics finds.While LNG and methanol use as alternative fuels generate some knowledge spillovers and procedural regulatory learning useful for green ammonia, the main scalable zero emission shipping fuel, these benefits are likely outweighed by capital lock-in and the entrenchment of fossil fuel infrastructure, which then compete with, rather than enable the long-term solution.The research paper…

Interferry, the global voice of the ferry industry, endorsed the European Commission’s launch of the Industrial Maritime Strategy and the inherent critical recognition of the ferry sector’s strategic importance. Notably, the push for Member States to reinvest EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) revenues into maritime decarbonization aligns directly with Interferry’s long-standing recommendations.The strategy notes that the maritime industry faces annual financing needs for fleet decarbonization estimated between USD$2.78billion and 9.86 billion (2.4 billion and 8.5 billion Euro).

Saipem and Capsol Technologies ASA, a provider of carbon capture technology, have entered into a non-exclusive cooperation agreement in the field of carbon capture. Specifically, the agreement focuses on the joint development of projects of mutual interest in the Hot Potassium Carbonate (HPC) segment, with the aim of capturing the opportunities offered by a growing market.The agreement provides for a structured collaboration that combines Capsol’s CO2 capture technology with Saipem’s expertise in delivering complex energy projects to offer large industrial emitters a reliable…

Ferries in port cities like Barcelona, Dublin and Naples are responsible for more toxic air pollution (SOx) than all the cars in those cities, a new study by T&E shows.Promisingly, 60% of Europe’s ferries could be electric by 2035, and over half (52%) would be cheaper to operate than fossil-fueled vessels, the report shows.With the average age of ferries in Europe at 26 years, now is the time for a clean renewal, says T&E.Ferries play a vital role in connecting Europe’s islands with the mainland…

Swiss marine power company WinGD has completed both Type Approval Testing (TAT) and Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) of its ammonia-fueled two-stroke marine engine, marking a milestone in efforts to decarbonize shipping.The test programs were completed in January 2026 on the X52DF-A-1.0 engine at HD Hyundai Heavy Industries’ Engine & Machinery (HHI-EMD) facility in South Korea. The tests were witnessed by classification society Lloyd’s Register together with representatives from major classification societies…

Jotun, a leading manufacturer of marine coatings, reported an estimated 11.8 million tons of avoided CO₂ emissions for vessels coated with its products in 2025, an increase from 11.1 million tons from the year before. The result is verified based on an independent technical evaluation conducted by DNV.The verified avoided emissions is based on the average speed loss of the vessels included in the evaluation, compared to an industry benchmark referenced in ISO 19030. The evaluation…

US West Coast-based maritime company Minke Marine A.L. LLC has secured its second class society Approval in Principle (AiP) from ClassNK for its air lubrication sector (ALS) with a new patented design.The ClassNK AiP follows a similar AiP secured by Minke with DNV. The latest AiP comes as Minke Marine began receiving verified data from its first installation on a 55,000 DWT DNV-classed, Norwegian-owned general cargo vessel. Costing less than $485,000 to install, Minke said the initial data shows a positive fuel saving…

A new insight brief by the UCL Shipping and Oceans Research Group for the Getting to Zero coalition, titled "Uncertainty at the IMO: Three scenarios and their consequences for shipping’s transition”, concludes that of those options only the ‘as is’ (Net Zero Framework as agreed in principle in April 2025) has the potential to provide a credible, stable demand signal and revenue stream to support early and mass-market uptake of scalable zero-emission fuels.Weaker alternatives risk delaying scalable zero-emission fuel availability into the 2040s…

Yanmar Power Solutions has acquired a site in Amagasaki City, Japan, to conduct test runs of marine hydrogen engines.The company says it will develop and build powertrains that can be used with next-generation fuels such as hydrogen, methanol, and ammonia, at the new facility.The complex will enable the company to reorganize its production system, including existing factories, and strengthen its capabilities. It is scheduled to begin operations around March 2029.

The shipping industry's biggest players are shrugging off Trump administration opposition to a global carbon price and are forging ahead with billions of dollars in emissions-reducing investments, according to company officials and a Reuters analysis of data.Europe, Brazil and a host of other nations are pushing the sector, which is responsible for nearly 3% of the world's greenhouse gas emissions, to go green. But, in October, the U.S. and Saudi Arabia, the world's two largest oil producers…

The shipping industry's biggest players are shrugging off Trump administration opposition to a global carbon price and are forging ahead with billions of dollars in emissions-reducing investments, according to company officials and a Reuters analysis of data.Europe, Brazil and a host of other nations are pushing the sector, which is responsible for nearly 3% of the world's greenhouse gas emissions, to go green. But, in October, the U.S. and Saudi Arabia, the world's two largest oil producers…

BW Offshore has unveiled a floating blue ammonia FPSO concept developed in collaboration with McDermott International, combining offshore production, carbon capture and direct export to convert surplus natural gas into lower-carbon fuel.The floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) concept is designed to process up to 3 million cubic meters of gas per day, producing more than one million tonnes of ammonia annually.It incorporates carbon capture technology designed to…

NYK Bulk & Projects Carriers (NBP), a member of the NYK Group, has operated a methanol dual-fuel bulk carrier using low-carbon methanol fuel for the transportation of copper concentrate for BHP Group, achieving an approximately 65% reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions on a well-to-wake basis compared to conventional fuel.The initiative marks what the NYK Group said is the world’s first use of low-carbon methanol fuel on an oceangoing bulk carrier, based on its research.The vessel, Green Future, was delivered in May 2025 as the NYK Group’s first methanol dual-fuel bulk carrier.

Meyer Turku has unveiled a net-zero cruise ship concept design named AVATAR.The project achieved its set emissions reduction target: the vessel’s lifecycle carbon footprint was successfully reduced by more than 90 percent compared to the baseline defined by the IMO.Developing a net zero vessel concept was one of the key objectives of NEcOLEAP, Meyer Turku’s four‑year research and development program co‑funded by Business Finland. The outcome has also been critically reviewed by a third party.“AVATAR has provided a solid foundation for our development work.

Exolum, Methanex Corporation and Ørsted announced the launch of the United Kingdom’s (U.K.) first commercially ready bio-methanol storage and supply service for shipping at the Port of Immingham. The Port of Immingham is the U.K.’s largest port by cargo volume and a critical gateway for energy and bulk materials, making it an important hub for maritime operations and low‑carbon fuel supply. The initiative will provide marine bunkering services for bio-methanol, one of the leading green fuels for decarbonizing shipping.

Lloyd’s Register (LR) Advisory has been appointed by Geneva-based LPG trader and shipowner Geogas to support the development of a multi-year emissions compliance plan and operationalization of FuelEU pooling, as it prepares for the first compliance cycle of FuelEU Maritime.Under the agreement, LR Advisory will provide insight into the commercial implications of current and forthcoming emissions regulations, alongside targeted knowledge transfer to build internal capability. The…

Anemoi Marine Technologies and COSCO Shipping Heavy Industry have renewed a framework agreement to expand collaboration on the installation of rotor sail wind-propulsion systems across COSCO Shipping subsidiary shipyards.The renewed agreement builds on cooperation that began in 2022, during which the companies completed the installation of nine rotor sails at COSCO Shipping Heavy Industry yards, including installations on very large ore carriers for Vale and U-Ming at the Zhoushan yard.Under the updated framework…

AET signed an agreement for its first hybrid electric Dynamic Positioning Shuttle Tanker (DPST), designed to be dual-fuel, lower-emissions-ready and secured on long-term charter. AET operates one of the world’s largest DPST fleets, with 17 vessels deployed across Brazil and Norway, and further growth planned. With dual-fuel capability across all tanker segments, the addition of hybrid electric propulsion further broadens lower-emissions optionality for customers while enhancing competitiveness.The agreement was signed with Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Corp.

Tallink's shuttle ships on the Tallinn–Helsinki route are making a big leap towards using cleaner fuel, soon to be fully powered by renewable energy. In January, 74% of the fuel used by Megastar and MyStar was liquefied biomethane (LBM). The company aims to replace its entire LNG demand with liquefied biomethane in the near future."The Megastar and MyStar, which operate with the busiest schedule between Tallinn and Helsinki, are real examples of how cleaner maritime transport is not just a topic for the future, but a reality today.

In a major milestone for Auckland’s public transport network, the city’s first plug-in hybrid electric fast ferry has performed exceptionally on sea trials and will soon enter service on the busy Auckland to Devonport commuter route. The vessel achieved a top speed of 36 knots on all-electric mode, with the performance of the electric propulsion and onboard systems consistently meeting and surpassing expectations.Designed by Incat Crowther, built by Q-West Boat Builders with systems integration by Hamilton Jet…

The service "ClassNK Fleet Cost Simulation" provided by ClassNK has been honored with the Best Project Innovation Award at the Saudi Maritime Awards, hosted by Robban Assafina, the maritime media platform in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. The award ceremony took place on January 29, in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.The Saudi Maritime Awards, in partnership with the Transport General Authority of Saudi Arabia, were established to recognize and honor notable figures in the…

Lloyd’s Register (LR) has published the maritime industry’s first dedicated Guidance Notes for onboard hydrogen generation, providing clarity on the safe design and integration of hydrogen generator technologies on ships.The new Guidance Notes respond directly to growing interest from shipowners, yards and technology developers in producing hydrogen onboard using alternative fuels such as LNG, methanol and ammonia.While hydrogen is widely seen as a key fuel for decarbonization, limited supply and availability of complex bunkering infrastructure significantly slow adoption in shipping.

The first two vessels in the Sleipner concept – Way Forward and Future Way – have, after just over a year in operation, demonstrated high performance, low fuel consumption and CII values far below current requirement levels. This means they emit less CO2 per transported unit than the average for comparable vessels, placing them in the highest energy efficiency class (A) according to the IMO’s international classification. The Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII) measures a vessel’s…