An Expert’s View

“Shipping contributes over 1 billion tonnes of greenhouse gases annually — 3% of global emissions, more than aviation,” says Charlie McKinlay, Fuels and Technologies Lead at Lloyd’s Register Maritime Decarbonisation Hub . With the IMO targeting net zero emissions by 2050, decisions must be made today to drive change.

The future of shipping will rely on a mix of fuels. Scalable e-fuels, like green hydrogen and e-methanol, offer promise, while biofuels could bridge the gap for existing fleets. But each comes with trade-offs: cost, scalability, and safety are key challenges.

McKinlay stresses the urgency for shipowners to act now: “Don’t wait for a perfect solution. Adopt the best available fuel for your operations and take the first steps.” By embracing efficiency technologies and transitioning fuels, the industry can scale innovations and bring costs down, ensuring a sustainable future for global trade.