September 12, 2025
- DNV’s Maritime Forecast to 2050 shows shipping’s energy transition entering a new phase.
- Alternative-fuel-capable vessels will almost double by 2028. By 2030, they could burn 50 Mtoe of low-GHG fuels – double the volume needed to meet IMO targets.
- Actual consumption today: only 1 Mtoe. Fleet readiness is surging, but fuel supply and infrastructure lag far behind.
- IMO’s Net-Zero Framework (pending adoption in October) is already influencing investment and operational choices.
- Key solutions identified:
- Use existing fuel infrastructure for biodiesel and bio-LNG.
- Deploy more efficiency measures on newbuilds.
- Adopt onboard carbon capture (OCC).
- Accelerate wind-assisted propulsion (WAPS), reducing fuel use by 5–20%.
Knut Ørbeck-Nilssen, CEO DNV Maritime: “The stage is set for the next phase of the maritime energy transition.”