Decarbonization News

Lloyd’s Register (LR) has published the latest report in its Fuel for thought series, providing an assessment of hydrogen’s potential role in maritime decarbonization. Fuel for thought: Hydrogen examines hydrogen from production and supply through to onboard use, highlighting the fuel’s advantages alongside the safety, infrastructure and cost challenges that currently restrict its adoption. Green hydrogen has the potential to deliver zero tank-to-wake greenhouse gas emissions when used in fuel cells and has a vital role as the building block for e-fuels such as ammonia and methanol.

ABB has signed contracts with Rotterdam Shore Power (RSP) to engineer and construct what is expected to be the world’s largest shore power system by capacity at the Port of Rotterdam.The system will provide over 100 megavolt-amperes (MVA) of shore power capacity and is set to begin operations in the second half of 2028, serving three deep-sea container terminals.The installations aim to reduce emissions, support compliance with the EU’s FuelEU Maritime Regulation, and improve air quality in Europe’s busiest port.The project…

WAPS: Making the Wind Blow for Shipping’s DecarbonizationIn the evolving landscape of maritime decarbonization, few subjects are as timely or arguably as misunderstood as wind-assisted propulsion. Yet the shipping industry finds itself at a decisive moment, driven by regulatory tightening, customer expectations for greener supply chains, and an urgent need to manage escalating fuel costs. Wind-assisted propulsion systems (WAPS), and wingsails in particular, are no longer speculative technologies. They are proven, available, and scalable solutions ready to meet the moment, writes Dr.

DHL Global Forwarding and shipping group CMA CGM have agreed to jointly use 8,990 metric tons of second-generation biofuel to reduce emissions from ocean freight.The initiative is expected to cut around 25,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions on a well-to-wake basis for container shipments moved under DHL’s GoGreen Plus service, marking a further step in efforts to decarbonize maritime transport.Under the agreement, the biofuel used will be UCOME, a second-generation fuel derived from waste and residue feedstocks.

It’s trite (but true) to say that in the maritime industry’s quest to cut emissions, there is no ‘silver bullet’ solution, rather a series of small step changes that cumulatively add up over time. Maritime Matters: The Marinelink Podcast, recently hosted Giuseppe Gargiulo, Head of Newbuildings, MSC and Daniel Bischofberger, CEO, Accelleron, to specifically discuss the development and delivery of Accelleron’s FITS2 technology, and automation technology built with MSC and premised on Accelleron’s cumulative 100+ years of turbocharger experience.

For the third consecutive year, SAAM Towage obtained the PAS 2060 international certification in Brazil, which certifies the carbon neutrality of its operations in that country.In addition to operational actions to reduce the intensity of Scope 1 and 2 emissions, carbon credits were purchased to offset 100% of these emissions.This progress encourages SAAM to continue deepening its efforts in energy efficiency and environmental management, which are part of its Sustainability Strategy…

Nereida Energy has signed its first contract to supply maritime battery systems with a total capacity of 17MWh to Frydenbø Elmarin. The systems will be installed on two ferries owned by Vestlandske Trafikk, which will be converted to electric propulsion for operation in the Geirangerfjord starting summer 2026. The Geirangerfjord is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, and from January 2026, strict requirements for zero-emission vessels will come into effect. This project is…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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.

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,…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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.

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…