Zero-Emission Shipping
Shipping causes about 3% of greenhouse gases; the IMO's global climate rule was postponed by a year in October 2025.
Open in the interactive tree →Freighters carry about 80% of world trade, run mostly on heavy fuel oil and live 25-30 years. Candidates are green methanol, ammonia, hydrogen, plus batteries and wind for short routes. All need huge amounts of green energy and new fuelling and safety infrastructure.
As of October 2026
On 17 October 2025 the International Maritime Organization voted 57 to 49 (29 states abstained or were absent) to postpone adoption of its Net-Zero Framework (global fuel standard plus pricing) by a year, after strong opposition from the US and Saudi Arabia. The adjourned extraordinary session is now due to resume on 4 December 2026 (after MEPC 85, 30 Nov-3 Dec); no decision had been taken on 9 October 2026; the earliest entry into force would be 1 March 2028. Green fuels such as methanol and ammonia are so far hardly available.
What is missing
- Binding global rules and a CO2 price (an IMO decision)
- Green fuels in million-tonne quantities available at ports
- Market-ready ammonia and hydrogen engines with safety concepts
- Retrofit or replacement of a fleet with a 25-30 year lifetime
- Financing: the premium for green fuels must show up in freight rates
Becomes possible once solved
- Climate-neutral world trade
- Emission-free ports and cleaner coastal air
- New markets for green fuels from sun- and wind-rich countries
Open steps
- Cheaper green ammonia and methanol Medium AI leverageMake e-ammonia and e-methanol with smaller, flexible plants and cheaper catalysts at port-relevant scale.
- Ammonia and hydrogen engines Medium AI leverageBurn ammonia and hydrogen cleanly and safely in marine engines, controlling N2O, NOx and unburnt ammonia.
- Voyage and power optimization Medium AI leverageCut fuel burn per voyage via routing, speed and engine-load planning with weather forecasts, to stretch scarce green fuel.
- Hull and wind-assist design Low AI leverageReduce power demand with better hull forms, coatings and wind-assist devices for existing and new ships.
Where AI could help
Low AI leverage. The block is a postponed IMO rule, green fuel supply and a 25-30 year fleet; AI can trim fuel use via routing but cannot supply fuel or set rules.
- Optimize routes, speed and trim with weather data to cut fuel burn
- Predict hull fouling and engine performance for maintenance planning
- Screen catalysts and processes for green ammonia and methanol
- Simulate combustion and safety of ammonia and hydrogen engines