Green Shipping and the Blue Economy in International Shipping News,Shipping: Emission Possible 20/01/2026 The International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) net-zero emissions target by 2050 is challenging. Today, the industry accounts for 3% of the world’s total emissions – matching the output of the aviation sector. Growth in global trade and production have seen emissions surge in recent years. The industry is predicted to grow at 2% year on year to 2028, a trend which, if continued, will contribute to a 10% rise in global emissions by 2050. There is a global push to reduce the impact of the maritime industry on global emissions. For instance, the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS), which was extended to maritime in 2024, requires polluters to pay for greenhouse gas emissions. There is now a financial incentive for shipping companies to improve monitoring, reporting and verification (MRV) of ships’ emissions in any ETS affected route. Reducing emissions is just one challenge for an industry already grappling with escalating geopolitical unrest and climate-related weather events. In this context, where does green shipping fit into the overall strategy? Is there an appetite for costly investments in new ‘clean fuel’ vessels? Will the burgeoning ‘blue economy’ deliver the next generation of technologies required to quickly and effectively reduce emissions? Innovation is compelling but, argues Saleem Khan, Chief Data & Analytics Officer at Pole Star Global, there are steps that can be taken immediately to reduce emissions within the existing fleet to reduce the carbon footprint now. Fuel Innovation The shift towards greener shipping is raising a number of commercial considerations for ship owners – including the relationship between owners and charterers. Who benefits from investments in clean propulsion technology? Which company takes responsibility for the investment? When the current model typically demands charterers pay for fuel, there are conversations to be had regarding both CAPEX and OPEX implications of changes to any fleet. Charterers need to consider and assess their options to influence and accelerate the decarbonisation and energy efficiency of ships. The shift towards alternative fuels is a key consideration and an area that is undergoing continuous and rapid evolution. Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) is gaining ground, with the number of ships using LNG up 33% in 2024. There are 638 LNG-fuelled ships in operation today, rising to 1,200 by the end of 2028. While LNG has the lowest carbon content of any fossil fuel, its downside is the level of methane content – which is a concern since methane is driving a third of current global warming. Alternatives, including Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG), Ammonia, Methanol, Hydrogen and HPO all have pros and cons. LPG, for example, offers a 17% decrease in Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions and is also easier to handle than LNG because it doesn’t require cryogenic storage to cool the fuel to -163 °C. Both Ammonia and Methanol are highly toxic, demanding very careful handling. Hydrogen, while carbon free, is very expensive and demands additional storage space due to its low density, impacting ship design and cargo capacity. Biodiesels, including Fatty Acid Methyl Ester (FAME) and hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO), have compelling sustainability credentials, with promises of 90% less ghg emissions but are more expensive than fossil fuels. Availability for marine use is also limited due to high demand fr