Twenty prominent green fuel producers are urging International Maritime Organization (IMO) delegates to capitalize on a unique opportunity to steer shipping toward sustainability. This week, leaders convene in London to vote on the IMO’s Net Zero Framework (NZF), initially agreed upon in April, with a final decision expected by the end of the week.
Companies such as European Energy, Liquid Wind, ET Fuels, HIF Global, and Zero Waste are advocating for the inclusion of incentives for green e-fuels, which currently face disadvantages compared to LNG and biofuels, despite their superior emissions reduction potential. The signatories have initiatives across Africa, the Americas, Europe, Southeast Asia, and Oceania.
Dr. Alison Shaw, IMO manager at Transport & Environment (T&E), emphasized that e-fuel producers require policy certainty to advance green shipping fuels. She noted that shipping could significantly contribute to global decarbonization efforts, but only with appropriate regulations. The existing NZF framework allows e-fuels to compete with cheaper, less sustainable options like fossil gas and first-generation biofuels. Producers stress that targeted incentives are crucial for a successful energy transition in shipping. Without them, progress may stall before it even begins.
