In Case You Missed It: The Real Conversations at Global Marine Decarbonisation 2025

Compliance Pressure is Shaping Real Decisions 

With FuelEU Maritime and the EU ETS now active, emissions performance is directly tied to cost. Fuel efficiency is no longer about marginal gains. Operators that fall outside allowable thresholds are already facing new reporting burdens and financial penalties. The IMO’s zone-based model adds another layer of complexity. Vessels operating with higher emissions are being pushed into the red zone, where costs escalate sharply. 
 
In case you need a quick refresher on the topic, I’ve included a short description at the end of this blog. 

The idea that ships need to optimise what they can now, came up repeatedly. There was no talk of silver bullets. Instead, conversations focused on combining small, proven steps: route planning, fuel management, and hull performance. 

Hull Performance is Under the Spotlight

One of the most interesting topics for me across sessions was hull condition. CII was mentioned as a concern, but the discussion was broader. Several speakers flagged biofouling not only as a performance issue, but as a growing compliance and safety risk. Diver-based cleaning was highlighted as expensive and sometimes hazardous. Alternative methods, including in-service systems that prevent fouling before it starts, are gaining attention for their consistency and low disruption. 

Siem Shipping shared one of the more concrete case studies, describing how hull form optimisation alone led to savings of seven tonnes of fuel per day. For many operators, those kinds of efficiency gains could make the difference between falling into the yellow zone or staying in the green. 

Environmental Transparency is Commercially Relevant

Ponant’s presentation wowed the room (or at least me). Their zero-emission ship project is rooted in systems thinking: propulsion, energy use, materials, and onboard services. One important point they raised was how emissions reporting is now influencing customer expectations. When passengers book a voyage in advance, they expect to understand how that trip fits into the operator’s environmental story. Ponant has started building its customer communications around those expectations, without greenwashing.

The sentiment was echoed in the panel on customer engagement. Several operators noted that cargo owners are beginning to ask for verified emissions data. Some are willing to pay more, but only when they trust that the operational choices align with their own sustainability targets.

Fuel Availability Remains Uncertain

The sessions covering fuel strategy were less conclusive. While there is strong interest in methanol, ammonia, and biofuels, the infrastructure and supply chains are not yet consistent across regions. Operators with vessels calling at multiple ports may struggle to secure compliant fuels everywhere they go. This uncertainty is pushing many companies to invest in measures that reduce fuel burn across the board, regardless of fuel type. That includes hull efficiency, system automation, and voyage optimisation. 

Practical Solutions are Gaining Ground

There is clearly no one-size-fits-all approach to decarbonisation. But what stood out was how quickly the conversation is shifting toward what can be implemented now. Operators are focused on taking control of the variables they can influence: drag, maintenance schedules, and onboard energy systems. New regulations will continue to evolve, but efficiency improvements at the hull level are already yielding measurable results.

A Clear Takeaway for Fleet Managers

For those managing ships day to day, this event boiled down to a simple point. Fuel costs, emissions penalties, and customer expectations are all moving in the same direction. Hull performance has become more than a technical consideration. It now plays a direct role in financial outcomes, regulatory standing, and commercial positioning. 

FuelEU Maritime, EU ETS for Shipping and IMO’s Zone-Based Models Explained 

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