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Press Release | Progress in Maritime Decarbonization: Updated Fuel Pathway Maturity Map Highlights Key Advancements

Published — November 26, 2024

Progress in Maritime Decarbonization: Updated Fuel Pathway Maturity Map Highlights Key Advancements

Copenhagen, Denmark — The Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping is unveiling an updated version of its Fuel Pathway Maturity Map, providing the shipping and financial sectors with a comprehensive overview of the advancements and challenges in sustainable fuel pathways. This intuitive tool provides an overview of key alternative fuels that are expected to play a pivotal role in decarbonizing the maritime industry by 2050.

The update highlights the progress made since 2022. There is tangible momentum in developing viable fuel options across the value chain – even when the green transition for shipping faces significant hurdles.

“This update counters the prevailing narrative that maritime decarbonization is at a halt. The progress captured in the Fuel Pathway Maturity Map demonstrates that the technical side of the industry is on the right path, with tangible advancements in key areas. This should enforce confidence in the green transition in stakeholders across the value chain,” says Christoffer Lythcke-Elberling, Head of Transition Modeling & Analytics.

The map provides an independent assessment of readiness of key parameters across the various alternative fuel pathways that are expected to play a role in decarbonization of the global maritime industry.

What is the Fuel Pathway Maturity Map?

The Fuel Pathway Maturity Map serves as a dynamic, interactive guide to the status of sustainable fuel pathways in the maritime industry. It evaluates technological readiness across the value chain—from fuel production to onboard use—for low emission fuels like green ammonia, bio-methane, e-methanol, and renewable diesels. Updated regularly, the tool reflects the latest insights into scalable, sustainable, and commercially viable fuel solutions.

Key Developments (2022–2024)

The past two years have seen significant advances, driven by increased investment in dual-fuel vessels and pilot projects across the fuel landscape. Notable progress includes:

  • Ammonia: Pilot projects have advanced onboard energy storage and fuel conversion technology, bringing ammonia closer to maritime readiness.

  • Methanol: Rapid growth in the dual-fuel methanol vessels coming into the market has driven advancements in global storage, logistics, bunkering infrastructure, and bio-methanol production using bio-methane as a feedstock.

  • Bio-methane: Biogas-based production technologies are maturing, with large-scale plants now operational.

  • Bio-oils: Pyrolysis oil production technology has improved, though further work is needed to achieve commercial viability for shipping.

  • Renewable Diesels (New Pathways): E-diesel and bio-diesel have been introduced as additional viable options, reflecting the expanding landscape of sustainable maritime fuels.

Driving the Green Transition Forward

While technological strides have been made, the Fuel Pathway Maturity Map underscores the urgent need for continued innovation and regulatory alignment. The maritime sector cannot achieve decarbonization without clear certification standards, robust emission controls, and global regulatory consensus.

“With the technological advancements outlining the path forward, regulators have a crucial opportunity to take bold steps. The tools and knowledge are in place for regulatory frameworks that will accelerate the transition—now is the time to act,” says Torben Nørgaard, Chief Technology Officer - Energy & Fuels.

The updated Fuel Pathway Maturity Map is now live. It represents a critical resource for shipowners, investors, policymakers, and all stakeholders navigating the transition to sustainable shipping.

About Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping

The Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping (MMMCZCS) is an independent, not-for-profit research and development center established in 2020 with funding from the A.P. Moller Foundation.

Our purpose is to guide and accelerate decarbonization of the global maritime industry. This complex challenge requires unprecedented collaboration across sectors, industries, and geographies.

Working with our partners, governments, authorities, public sector bodies, scientists, and organizations across the global maritime industry we mature solutions to the most pressing problems across the maritime value chain, from fuels to onboard solutions, regulations, and financing.

For more information, please visit www.zerocarbonshipping.com

Media Contacts

Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping
Rasmus Baastrup Nielsen
rasmus.nielsen@zerocarbonshipping.com
+45 28 25 36 60