WS32: Zero-Emission Shipping ExCo Workshop
The maritime sector is responsible for approximately 3% of global greenhouse gas emissions, and as such is similar in impact as the global aviation sector. Up to recently, the regulatory developments and priorities on mitigating climate change impacts seemed to lay behind in comparison the the activities in the Aviation sector. That sector for more than a decade sees activities on the development of sustainable aviation fuels, as one of the means to reduce emissions and regulation is maturing.
Following the first publications by the European Commission 2021, the European Union implemented two regulations for driving down GHG emissions in both the maritime and aviation sector, with clear pathways to lower the carbon intensity of the sectors towards 2050.
At global level, April 2025, the IMO – International Maritime Organisation made an important leap forward at the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 83) meeting where the “Committee finalized and approved the draft legal text for the “IMO Net-Zero Framework”, to be included as a new chapter in Annex VI to the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships. At the extra-ordinary session of MEPC in October 2025 the adoption of the draft amendments to MARPOL Annex VI has been paused for at least one year. Nevertheless the development towards regulations that sets direction for climate mitigation in the international shipping sector will continue.
The draft regulations will set mandatory marine fuel standard and GHG emissions pricing for shipping to address climate change.
Background information on the WS32 moderators and speakers
Final programme ‘Zero Emission Shipping’, with links to the presentations
Opening and welcome session
- Mark Brown, IEA Bioenergy TCP Chair, Introduction to the workshop topic and purpose
- Tristan Smith, UCL, The maritime sector by numbers – energy and climate
- Øyvind Sekkesæter, DNV, Details of the new regulatory IMO ‘Net-Zero Framework’ landscape and the role of biofuels
- Andrew Klain, IEA, Renewable Energy Division, Shipping in the World Energy Outlook 2025
Session 1: Policy Overview and Industry perspectives – reflections on upcoming regulatory landscape towards zero emission shipping
- William Nygaard, Mission Innovation Zero Emission Shipping, Public-private partnerships as an important tool in the green shipping transition
- Luciana Salvatore, Petrobras, Perspective as fuel producer and as fuel supplier
- Tom Johnsen, Norwegian Ship Owners Association, Reflection on the new regulatory landscape
- Kaj Portin, Wärtsilä, Perspective on upcoming propulsion systems and energy carriers in the near future and on the role for liquid and gaseous biofuels
- Sophie Delannoy, North Sea Port, Moving forward to Net Zero Shipping, a perspective from North Sea Port
- Blair Culph, Zespri International Ltd., Green Corridors – enabler for low Carbon shipping of consumer products [Link to video presentation]
Session 2: Portfolio overview of sustainable biofuels and energy carriers for delivering low Carbon Intensity performance
- Tom Walsh, Renetech / IEA Bioenergy Task 39, Lowering hinders for biofuels in maritime sector
- Duncan Akporiaye, Sintef, Developments in Liquefaction routes to biofuels and other renewable fuels
- Bernhard Drosg, BEST Research / BOKU / IEA Bioenergy Task 37, The role of biomethane in a scenario with increased liquid methane fuelled vessels
- Roland Verhe, University of Ghent, Lipid based biofuel performance from large-scale engine test operations
- Paul Bennett, Biowave, Perspectives of advanced lignocellulosic marine fuels (catalytic pyrolysis bio-oil drop in)
- Glaucia Mendes Souza, University Sao Paolo / IEA Bioenergy Task 39, How to identify a sustainable biofuel for decarbonization of the transportation sector
Panel Discussion best way forward: which technology innovation and investment roadmap to follow. Moderator: Mark Brown. Panelists: Andrew Klain, William Nygaard, Luciana Salvatore, Kaj Portin, Sophie Delannoy, Tom Walsh
Workshop conclusion and Closure: Eric van den Heuvel, Technical Coordinator, IEA Bioenergy TCP