Esteve Servajean, head of marine at Aderco, wrote that shipping remains a laggard among global industries on emissions and risks falling further behind if it clings to outdated concepts and technologies. He said efficiency can no longer be measured solely in fuel cost per tonne-mile but must include lifecycle emissions, carbon transparency and regulatory obligations.

Mr Servajean argued that the future is multi-fuel, not dependent on a single alternative fuel. He noted that green methanol, bio-LNG and ammonia remain years behind schedule in terms of portside availability. Shipowners should therefore invest in dual-fuel configurations and avoid long-term contracts tied to one fuel.

Operational optimisation remains the most immediate lever, from engine condition management and real-time fuel monitoring to voyage planning. Measures such as anti-fouling coatings, wind-assisted propulsion and underwater turbines can be implemented now without waiting for new fuel infrastructure.

Regulatory fragmentation is a major obstacle, he said. The IMO sets global ambitions, but the EU is advancing on its own timeline, forcing shipowners to navigate multiple frameworks. He added that the industry faces a skills and data gap, requiring new competencies in fleet management, analytics and carbon accounting.

Mr Servajean called for a global carbon levy framework and a credible maritime-specific carbon credit scoring system built on verifiable data. He warned against greenwashing and said European green finance instruments such as bonds and sustainability-linked loans are already influencing boardroom decisions.

He concluded that companies defining credible standards with transparency, independent verification and measurable emissions outcomes will be better positioned than those reacting later. Without such credibility, he said, shipping risks adding complexity without impact.