Collaborative Report on Sustainable Maritime Transport and Decarbonization Strategies

Eni, Fincantieri, and RINA have collaborated on a new report titled “Sustainable Maritime Transport Outlook,” developed with the technical support of Bain & Company Italy. The report aims to accelerate the decarbonization of the maritime transport sector in alignment with the Net Zero target for 2050. It is part of an agreement signed by the three companies to establish a global observatory for monitoring and assessing sustainable decarbonization solutions in the sector.

The study provides a global overview of decarbonization options tailored to different vessel segments and regions worldwide. In the short term, options like LNG and biofuels, including HVO and FAME, show promise in reducing CO₂ emissions. Over the long term, biofuels such as Bio-LNG and biomethanol are expected to be primary solutions for merchant shipping, with synthetic fuels derived from green hydrogen gaining traction in specific applications.

The report presents three future scenarios based on decarbonization ambition, technological progress, and fuel availability. Projections suggest rapid decarbonization progress in the EU and the United States, while fossil fuels and LNG are expected to dominate in the Asia-Pacific region. To achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, the industry will need to explore new alternative fuels like synthetic fuels produced from green hydrogen, although cost competitiveness may not be achieved until after 2040.

Successfully managing this transition will require significant long-term investment in port infrastructure to accommodate the supply and distribution of alternative fuels. Within the European Union alone, investments of up to €24 billion are projected, with different levels of investment needed for various fuel types. HVO biofuels and LNG are expected to require relatively limited investment due to their compatibility with existing systems, while synthetic fuels will demand substantial investment as the necessary infrastructure is yet to be developed.

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