A report summarising the findings of an industry roundtable by ZeroNorth highlights the critical importance of energy efficiency in the maritime sector’s green transition.
As stated in the report “Recommendations for scaling and implementing energy efficiency in shipping”, energy efficiency remains a cornerstone in the maritime sector’s green transition. With much of the global fleet still reliant on conventional fuels, operational improvements must deliver near-term emission reductions while paving the way towards alternative fuels.
Data, technology, and smart economic incentives are critical to overcoming ambiguity in the sector, establishing trusted baselines, and ensuring that both regulation and market forces drive real change.
Furthermore, the EU plays a crucial role, both in shaping European regulations and in contributing to the creation, implementation, and enforcement of global conditions and frameworks. In the second half of 2025, Denmark will assume the EU Presidency.
This provides a unique opportunity to position energy efficiency as a strategic priority and ensure that the green transition is driven by concrete, operational solutions and realistic implementation strategies.
Key recommendations:
Embed energy efficiency as a central pillar of emissions reduction strategy
Position operational efficiency on par with alternative fuels in emissions reduction frameworks. Enabling flexibility in regulatory compliance and establishing a framework to measure incremental efficiency improvements will ensure that energy efficiency measures are rewarded and prioritized, driving continuous improvements across the industry.
Create robust incentives for energy efficiency
Well-structured incentives, such as financial rewards and regulatory penalties, can accelerate investments in energy efficiency. Market-driven mechanisms should be utilized to ensure that efficiency gains translate into competitive advantages.
Strengthen the use of high-quality data and technology in operations and enforcement of regulation
Standardizing data and reporting formats, along with implementing digital tools, will enhance efficiency and regulatory enforcement. Independent validation and real-time monitoring can ensure compliance while improving operational decision-making across the industry.
Remove barriers for scaling globally
Accelerate the adoption of energy-efficient solutions across the industry. A unified global data platform is essential for improving visibility and standardization, while close collaboration between industry, validation partners, and regulators will help remove implementation barriers and drive industry-wide adoption.
