Expert Insight: The Building Blocks of Greener Shipping
The Building Blocks of Greener Shipping : Roughly three percent of the world's greenhouse gases come from ships, a figure that puts the sector on par with the emissions of entire industrialised nations. Trade volumes keep growing, and if nothing changes, that percentage will climb. The International Maritime Organization has already set a 2050 net-zero target. For operators, shipyards, and ports, the question is not whether change is coming but how fast they can adapt without undermining the economics of global shipping.
The problem is broad: carbon output is tied to engines, hulls, fuels, port operations, and even day-to-day crew behaviour. Solutions are arriving from many directions at once. Some are technical, others behavioural.
All require investment and a willingness to rethink what has been a conservative industry for decades. Danny Peachey, Manager at HTL Group, a leading provider of controlled bolting solutions, looks at how the marine industry can reduce carbon emissions through propulsion improvements, alternative fuels, digital optimisation, smarter resource use, and crew training.
Propulsion and Hull Performance
Efficiency gains start where steel meets water. Propeller systems are being re-engineered to reduce drag; air lubrication is now used on several large vessels to create a layer of bubbles under the hull; and specialised coatings keep barnacles and algae from slowing a ship's passage.
Even modest upgrades can trim fuel use by five to ten percent, which translates into both lower operating costs and reduced carbon output. Retrofits are attractive for older ships because they buy time before replacement is unavoidable. For new builds, financiers and regulators increasingly expect these improvements as a baseline, so they are less a competitive edge and more a licence to operate.
Alternative Fuels
Conventional bunker fuel has powered the industry for generations, but its environmental cost is becoming unsustainable.
Liquefied natural gas is already in use, offering lower emissions of carbon dioxide and particulates. Beyond that, the sector is experimenting with methanol, ammonia, and hydrogen. Each fuel raises new questions: ammonia is toxic, hydrogen requires complex storage, and methanol demands its own bunkering infrastructure.
Yet pilot projects are scaling up. Maersk's methanol-fuelled container ship entered service in 2023, and European consortia are testing hydrogen and ammonia on short-sea routes. Adoption will be uneven, but these first movers are building the know-how and supply chains that others will need.
Digital Operations
A modern vessel generates huge volumes of data, and using that information effectively is one of the quickest ways to cut emissions. Engine monitoring, weather routing, and speed optimisation all contribute.
Adjusting course to avoid headwinds or moderating speed by a fraction can save tonnes of fuel on a single voyage. Fleet management platforms now merge satellite feeds, predictive analytics, and onboard sensors into a live operational picture. Instead of waiting for post-voyage reports, operators can make real-time decisions that reduce waste immediately.
Studies suggest voyage optimisation alone may cut emissions by up to 15 percent. Ports are also digitising cargo handling, which reduces turnaround times and the hours vessels spend idling with auxiliary engines running.
Energy Use and Waste Handling
Propulsion may dominate the emissions conversation, but it is far from the only factor. Lighting, cooling, and heating all add to the carbon footprint of a vessel.
Swapping to LED lighting, installing heat-recovery units, and using more efficient HVAC controls are straightforward measures that reduce overall demand. Waste handling is another area where progress is visible. Ships generate oils, plastics, packaging, and food waste, all of which require careful management.
Segregation and recycling prevent unnecessary emissions from disposal, and modern treatment systems reduce pollutants from the waste that cannot be avoided. Ports with adequate reception facilities make compliance with MARPOL Annex V more realistic and less costly.
Training and Behaviour
Technology is only as effective as the people who use it. Crews that understand fuel-efficient navigation, waste segregation, and energy-saving practices deliver better results than those who do not.
Many operators now share performance data directly with crews, turning efficiency into a shared goal rather than a distant corporate target. Carbon reporting frameworks are tightening, and major cargo owners increasingly demand emissions data from carriers. A company's ability to demonstrate progress is already influencing contracts, which makes sustainability performance a competitive issue as much as a regulatory one.
Steering the Industry Forward
The marine sector is not going to eliminate its carbon footprint in a single leap.
What matters now is steady progress: smarter propulsion, trials of cleaner fuels, better use of data, tighter energy management, and crews trained to treat efficiency as part of their role. Each step may look modest in isolation, but together they mark the difference between falling behind and staying viable in an industry that is under close scrutiny. The IMO's 2050 deadline may still feel distant, yet decisions being made today will determine who thrives when it arrives.
Companies that invest early in carbon reduction will not only cut costs but also prove to regulators and customers that they can keep global trade moving without ignoring its environmental cost.
Transport & Logistics - Driving The Industry Forward