Marine Link
Thursday, December 18, 2025

Decarbonization News

17 Dec 2025

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Isometric Partner on Carbon Removal

© Isometric

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) and Isometric have entered into a strategic partnership under which Isometric will issue scientifically rigorous, transparent carbon dioxide removal (CDR) credits to support MOL’s net zero strategy. The partnership—which includes Isometric’s selection as the registry for MOL’s milestone 10,000-ton Enhanced Weathering offtake with Alt Carbon—will provide MOL with access to high-quality carbon removal credits certified under the Isometric Standard.Isometric’s protocols…

16 Dec 2025

AYK Energy Signs Second Chemical Tanker Battery Deal with Spain’s Mureloil

(Credit: Supplied by AYK Energy)

Marine battery manufacturer AYK Energy has signed a second contract with Spanish ship owner Mureloil, extending the use of battery-supported diesel-electric propulsion into the chemical tanker segment.The agreement follows the installation of a battery system on Mureloil’s 8,000-deadweight-tonne tanker Bahía Candela and will see AYK supply an identical 4.2 MWh Aries+ battery system for its sister vessel Bahía Beatriz, currently under construction at Astilleros de Murueta shipyard near Bilbao.Battery systems are widely used in ferries and workboats…

16 Dec 2025

Union Maritime’s Chemical Tanker Newbuilds to Sport Anemoi’s Rotor Sails

Anemoi Rotor Sails on Union Maritime chemical tankers (Credit: Anemoi)

Anemoi Marine Technologies, the U.K.-based designer of Rotor Sails for wind-assisted ship propulsion, has signed a deal to install its Rotor Sails on two newbuild chemical tankers under construction for Union Maritime.The 18,500 DWT vessels, to be built by Wuhu Shipyard Co in China, will feature a combination of technologies and retrofit readiness to safeguard cost-effective decarbonization across their lifecycle.The Rotor Sails are set to be installed at Wuhu in early 2026 after…

15 Dec 2025

Renewable Propane Delivers Clean Energy Without the Wait

Image courtesy PERC

With lower emissions and proven reliability, it’s the ready-now solution for cleaner port operationsAs demand for cleaner energy grows, port authorities and terminal operators face the challenge of finding environmentally friendly options without increasing budgets or sacrificing productivity. Propane has met these performance criteria at ports for decades, powering everything from terminal tractors and forklifts to shore power and generators. It reduces emissions while ensuring critical operational uptime…

15 Dec 2025

IMO: Stick to Your [Sustainability] Guns

Copyright Yellow Boat/AdobeStock

IMO has kicked the can of sustainability down the road by delaying the Net Zero Framework. It was a strange retreat.It looked like there would be a useable Framework to reduce emissions, but at the meeting the US fought its implementation tooth and nail and threatened other states if they accepted it. Some countries buckled under and, with the loss of US support, the oil majors saw their chance to jump ship too.Then ABS expressed doubt about the Framework, and DNV also mumbled…

15 Dec 2025

PortXchange Wins Award for EmissionInsider Port Decarbonization Platform

Dr Oliver Grün, President of the European DIGITAL SME Alliance and of the Federal Association of IT-SMEs of Germany (BITMi), presenting the award to Sjoerd de Jager, CEO of PortXchange. © PortXchange

PortXchange has won the European DIGITAL SME Award – Green Category, recognizing the company’s EmissionInsider platform as one of Europe’s leading digital solutions for port decarbonization. The win, following its selection as one of only three shortlisted companies, highlights the industry shift toward data-driven emissions-intelligence solutions as ports accelerate their climate strategies. The award was given to PortXchange at the European DIGITAL SME Summit on Thursday, December 4…

15 Dec 2025

ABB, HDF Energy Target Maritime Decarbonization with Fuel Cells

Concept illustration of a large vessel powered by fuel cells (Credit: ABB)

ABB and HDF Energy have signed a joint-development agreement (JDA) to develop a high-power fuel cell unit for marine applications.The agreement builds on an earlier Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between ABB and HDF Energy in 2020, envisaging the collaboration.Foreseeing pilot installations in 2028 - 2029 and serial production from 2030, the agreement initiates a significant step forward for developing fuel cells as a commercially viable option to support maritime decarbonization.The…

11 Dec 2025

Real Zero, Not Just for Australia

Source: Fortescue

The December issue of Maritime Reporter magazine includes a feature story on Australian mining company Fortescue’s pioneering ammonia fuel trial on the platform supply vessel Green Pioneer.The Green Pioneer was named one of TIME’s Best Inventions of 2025.The conversion journey of its diesel-electric power system to dual-fuel ammonia started in 2022, on land, when Fortescue converted a four-stroke Cummins engine at is Perth testing facility in Western Australia.“The Fortescue Green Pioneer is proof that safe, technical solutions for ammonia power engines exist” said Dr.

11 Dec 2025

Low-Emission Cement Carrying Vessel to be Dual-Fuel Methanol

The new methanol-powered cement carrier is designed to cut emissions by 80%, according to Heidelberg Materials. Image courtesy Heidelberg Materials

Heidelberg Materials Northern Europe has taken a decisive step toward low-emission coastal logistics with the development of a next-generation methanol-powered cement carrier, an 80% emissions-cutting vessel that could redefine short-sea bulk operations in Scandinavia. Planned to enter service in early 2028, the newbuild is the product of a multi-stakeholder public-private partnership involving the Hartmann Group, the Green Shipping Programme (GSP) and the Norwegian NOx Fund,…

10 Dec 2025

UN Launches Decade of Sustainable Transport

© Pawinee / Adobe Stock

The United Nations has launched the first ever United Nations Decade of Sustainable Transport (2026–2035).The Implementation Plan, launched in New York, is the result of a participatory consultation process and provides a roadmap to align policies, finance, technology and data with sustainable transport to advance the Sustainable Development Goals.“This consultative and inclusive process has opened new avenues for cooperation, and we have been privileged to lead it. It has brought together governments…

02 Dec 2025

DNV: Methanol Emerging as Scalable Marine Fuel but Economics Still Limit Uptake

© Mariusz / Adobe Stock

Methanol is emerging as a practical alternative fuel for deep-sea shipping as engines and technical systems reach high readiness levels, but high costs and limited supply continue to constrain wider adoption, classification society DNV said in a new report.As the industry explores multiple decarbonization pathways, methanol is gaining attention as a practical and scalable alternative fuel for deep-sea shipping, supported by over 450 methanol-capable vessels in operation and on order and technical solutions now available for all major ship types.DNV’s latest white paper…

30 Nov 2025

Many Green Shipping Corridors Stalled

© Guma / Adobe Stock

A new report from the Getting to Zero Coalition identifies 25 new green shipping corridors – trade routes designed to demonstrate and scale novel zero-emission fuels, vessels, and technologies – launched this last year, expanding the global total to 84 active initiatives.At a Crossroads: Annual Progress Report on Green Shipping Corridors 2025 reveals that new initiatives have been launched in major developing economies like China, India, Brazil, Chile, Ghana, and Kenya.For the first time since the report’s inception in 2022…

21 Nov 2025

ABS Offers Best Practice for Energy Efficiency Retrofits

Source: ABS

The latest analysis from ABS, Retrofits for Energy and Emissions Improvements, provides critical insights into the impact of retrofitting, including classification and statutory requirements, as well as best practices for implementation.The report builds upon the conclusions presented in the ABS 2025 Outlook, Beyond the Horizon: Vision Meets Reality. With an array of retrofit options available, each offering potential improvements dependent on a range of factors, the report provides…

20 Nov 2025

World’s First Retrofit Fund Established

Source: GCMD

The Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation (GCMD), AIM Horizon Investments, and their partners have announced the successful closing of the Fund for Energy Efficiency Technologies (FEET), securing total commitments of up to $35 million, exceeding its initial target.As the world’s first fund for vessel retrofits leveraging a pay-as-you-save repayment mechanism, FEET directly addresses the long-standing financial barriers hindering the sector’s uptake of vessel retrofits.The fund has drawn strong interest from across the maritime value chain…

17 Nov 2025

DNV, WMMF Publish Guide to Support Shipowners' Path to Net-Zero

© DNV

The maritime industry is experiencing a period of significant transformation, driven by evolving regulations, increasing commercial pressure, and a global shift towards reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. In response, DNV and the World Maritime Merchants Forum (WMMF) ESG team have published a new guide to help shipowners navigate these evolving challenges, an effort supported by industry organizations in Hong Kong and worldwide.The "Net-Zero Guide: Practical Approaches for Global Shipping Companies" provides a structured roadmap for advancing decarbonization.

17 Nov 2025

Study: Allseas SMR Tech Seen as Key Maritime, Industry Decarbonization Tool

(Credit: Allseas)

Allseas’ small modular reactor (SMR) technology could generate up to $150 million billion in economic value for the Netherlands and create as many as 40,000 new jobs by 2050, according to an impact study released on Monday by the offshore engineering group.The study, conducted by consultancy Roland Berger, found that deploying the company’s 25 MWe / 70 MWt high-temperature gas-cooled SMR could also help cut grid congestion, strengthen energy security and deliver major emissions…

13 Nov 2025

GNV Partners with Lloyd’s Register to Boost Decarbonization Training

This image shows Gianpaolo Dalla Vedova, Director Strategic Key Accounts and Company Country Lead for Italy, Lloyd's Register delivering a session as part of the training program. © LR

Lloyd’s Register (LR) has collaborated with Italian ferry operator GNV to deliver the third edition of its training program dedicated to fleet energy efficiency and decarbonization. The three-day course, which took place November 10-12 at the MSC Training Centre in Sant’Agnello, Sorrento, involved approximately 50 members of the technical and operational staff from across the fleet, including Captains, Chief Engineers, Chief Pursers, First Engineers and Deck Officers. The aim was to strengthen skills in energy management…

06 Nov 2025

MPA and RINA Sign Digitalization MoU

Source: RINA

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) and class society RINA have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to establish a technology demonstration center and to collaborate on maritime innovation, digitalization, decarbonization, and talent development.The technology demonstration center will be part of RINA’s Open Innovation Hub in Singapore and serve as a collaborative platform to co-create and trial innovative solutions for maritime digitalization and decarbonization.

05 Nov 2025

EU Unveils Sustainable Transport Investment Plan

© doganmesut / Adobe Stock

The European Commission has adopted its communication on the Sustainable Transport Investment Plan (STIP), setting out a roadmap to rapidly accelerate the energy transition of aviation and waterborne transport sectors.To meet the fuel targets set out in the ReFuelEU Aviation and FuelEU Maritime Regulations, a significant volume of around 20 million tonnes of sustainable alternative fuels (13.2 Mt of biofuels and 6.8 Mt of e-fuels) will be needed by 2035. This calls for substantial investments from the market…

03 Nov 2025

Fortescue’s Ammonia-Fueled Green Pioneer Arrives in Belém Ahead of COP30

Fortescue Green Pioneer (Credit: UK Government)

Fortescue’s Green Pioneer has arrived in Belém, Brazil, to send a message to COP30 participants that collaboration between industry and regulators is the key to unlocking zero-emission shipping.The 75-meter vessel has now visited three continents this year, following stops in London, Rotterdam, Monaco, Boston and New York.During its global voyage, the Green Pioneer has achieved several milestones, including becoming the first vessel to sail on ammonia in international waters.

03 Nov 2025

Global Partnership Launches International Maritime Future Technologies Innovation Center

© Lloyd’s Register

Lloyd’s Register (LR), in collaboration with COSCO Shipping Group, Shanghai Jiao Tong University and the University of Southampton, has established the International Maritime Future Technologies Innovation Center.The new virtual center aims to advance research and development in low- and zero-carbon maritime technologies, intelligent ship systems and digital innovation.The center will serve as a global platform for collaboration between industry and academia, supporting the sector’s transition towards a smarter and more sustainable future.

02 Nov 2025

Solar System Installed on Dutch Coaster

Source: Wattlab

Dutch maritime solar company Wattlab has delivered a solar energy system for globally operating shipping, trading, and maritime services company Vertom.The recently delivered Vertom Tula is a 7,280dwt diesel-electric multipurpose cargo vessel. The solar system represents a major technical milestone and a step forward for sustainable shipping. Wattlab has delivered and installed 44 Solar Flatracks that will provide power to onboard systems, reducing 20% of the hotel load. Vertom operates a fleet of over 100 vessels…

02 Nov 2025

Hanwha Group, HMM, and KR Sign Fuel Cell MoU

Source: Hanwha

Four Hanwha Group companies — Hanwha Power Systems, Hanwha Ocean, Hanwha Aerospace, and Hanwha Systems — signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with shipping company HMM and Korean Register (KR) to jointly develop and demonstrate next-generation carbon-free ship propulsion systems.The partners will jointly conduct concept design for next-generation propulsion systems — including an integrated solution combining an ammonia-based gas turbine and fuel cells for 7,000–8,000 TEU-class container vessels…