As global regulations tighten and commercial pressures mount, the maritime industry is undergoing a major transformation toward lower greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. To support shipowners in navigating this rapidly shifting landscape, DNV and the World Maritime Merchants Forum (WMMF) ESG team have released a comprehensive new resource titled “Net-Zero Guide: Practical Approaches for Global Shipping Companies.” The guide is backed by industry associations in Hong Kong and other key maritime hubs worldwide.
A Practical Roadmap for Decarbonization
The Net-Zero Guide provides a structured framework to help shipowners make informed operational and investment decisions as they adapt to evolving international and regional regulations. Using data-driven insights and real-world operator experience, it outlines pragmatic steps for adopting best practices, managing regulatory uncertainties, and preparing fleets for long-term environmental requirements.
DNV Maritime CEO Knut Ørbeck-Nilssen emphasized that decarbonization continues despite delays in international policymaking, noting that energy efficiency and fuel flexibility remain crucial for vessel competitiveness. Similarly, Wang Yong Xin, President of China Merchants Energy Shipping (CMES), highlighted the guide’s value in helping companies balance immediate operational demands with long-term emissions reduction strategies.
Supporting Cost-Effective Transitions for Shipowners
The guide pays particular attention to the challenges faced by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which often struggle with the rising cost and complexity of compliance. It recommends affordable and strategic actions such as efficiency upgrades, phased adoption of alternative fuels, and selective retrofits or vessel renewals to avoid stranded assets.
It also encourages shipowners to integrate decarbonization into their core business strategies linking compliance with financing, adopting lifecycle fleet planning, and building organizational capabilities through structured training and change management. Additionally, the guide stresses the importance of partnerships, digitalization, and strong data governance to improve transparency, ensure regulatory compliance, and strengthen long-term operational resilience.
By offering a clear and practical roadmap, the Net-Zero Guide equips shipping companies of all sizes with tools to navigate the complexities of the energy transition. With coordinated efforts across the value chain and strategic investments in efficiency and innovation, shipowners can meet climate goals while safeguarding competitiveness in an increasingly regulated global market.
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Source: DNV
