The green journey is no emission impossible

Key steps for successful decarbonisation planning

Navigating the energy transition in the shipping industry brings challenges – but a well-planned and carefully executed decarbonisation plan can help ensure success. Ship owners are facing choppy waters as they try to traverse the energy transition, with challenges including ever-evolving environmental regulations, the costs of compliance, and understanding the various technological and fuel advancements required to be future-ready. 

However, adopting smarter, sustainable, and more efficient operations need not be a headache. Kongsberg Maritime is at the forefront of decarbonisation developments, and able to advise customers on options to achieve compliance and optimise efficiency for existing fleets and newbuilds.

Latest maritime regulations: shaping future energy choices

The FuelEU Maritime Regulation, effective from January 1, 2025, marks a significant step in the European Union’s efforts to decarbonise the maritime sector. FuelEU aims to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from marine fuels, driving the transition to low-carbon and renewable energy sources.

Under the FuelEU Maritime Regulation, all commercial ships above 5,000 gross tonnage – the same threshold as ETS – calling at EU ports must reduce the GHG intensity of the energy used by 2 per cent compared to the baseline – an average intensity of the fleet in 2020. 

These reduction targets will increase every five years, aiming for an 80 per cent reduction by 2050. Compliance involves collecting and reporting data on fuel usage and adopting Onshore Power Supply (OPS) technology at major EU ports by 2030.

In April 2025, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) also approved new net-zero regulations aimed at drastically reducing GHG emissions from the global shipping industry. These regulations, set to be formally adopted in October 2025 and enforced by 2027, represent a significant step towards achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. The IMO Net-Zero Framework introduces mandatory emissions limits and a global pricing mechanism for GHG emissions, making it the first of its kind to encompass an entire industry sector. Key elements include a new fuel standard for ships and a global economic measure, requiring ships to reduce their annual greenhouse gas fuel intensity (GFI) over time. 

Oskar Levander adds: “The new IMO regulations set a clear cost on using fossil fuels and will be an essential driver for achieving the IMO GHG reduction targets. At Kongsberg Maritime, we are committed to supporting our customers in navigating these changes and adopting innovative technologies that meet these stringent standards.”

These measures will also apply to large ocean-going ships over 5,000 gross tonnage, which account for 85 per cent of total CO2 emissions from international shipping. The framework aims to accelerate the introduction of zero and 
near-zero GHG fuels, technologies and energy sources. 

Oskar continues: “While not a supplier of engines, Kongsberg Maritime can play a pivotal role in helping ship owners navigate these new regulations through the provision of integrated systems and alternative energy sources like batteries and wind-assisted propulsion. As a technology integrator, we offer consultancy services to guide owners in making informed decisions about energy choices and investments.”

Key elements in decarbonisation

One way in which Kongsberg Maritime visualises the challenge of reducing GHG emissions is to consider a triangle shape. In each corner lies a key element of the decarbonisation process: reducing energy consumption, maximising energy conversion efficiency and using clean energy sources and fuels.

Selecting a clean energy source also helps cut emissions. In the third corner of the triangle, Kongsberg Maritime helps ship owners maximise the energy efficiency of their chosen power source. Reducing energy consumption can involve “simple 
things like cleaning the hull and operating at lower speeds,” Karl adds. However, there is no one-size-fits-all for vessels and operators, and this is where Kongsberg Maritime experts can really help ship owners by advising on the optimal solutions 
and fuel options for their specific vessels and budgets. Karl continues: “The energy transition is as much about enhancing the energy efficiency of ships as it is about 
transitioning to alternative fuels.”

Compliance and income generation

Becoming compliant with regulations means ship owners are having to improve their energy efficiency and reduce emissions. This can be achieved through the integration of technologies and solutions – a key strength of Kongsberg Maritime.

Additionally, the company’s knowledge of the regulatory landscape can help offer ship owners the opportunity to generate income from compliance.

This income stream stems from flexibility around compliance with the FuelEU Maritime Regulation. Owners have the option to pay the required penalties if they do not want to, or cannot, reduce their emissions. This becomes more expensive, over time, so if owners become over-compliant, “they can bank any surplus” to offset future deficits. By pooling surplus, an over compliant vessel can earn additional revenue from other pool members that do not reach the target.

The FuelEU regulations set maximum limits for yearly average GHG intensity of energy used by ships and mandate a gradual reduction in GHG intensity over time. The rules also state that container and passenger vessels must use onshore 
power supply or zero-emissions technologies while in ports from 2030.

This makes shore power a much more attractive proposition. However, a challenge today, and towards 2030, is the onshore power infrastructure, so an initiative for zero emissions in port relies on the availability of the onshore 
power grid.

Karl says: “This is an area where owners may need some clarity. FuelEU Maritime says a fuel with lower carbon intensity needs to be used. It’s a slow uptake – just 2 per cent lower than before [from 2025]. Gradually this requirement will increase and become quite steep, and this applies to all ships coming in and out of the EU.”

To comply, clean fuel or a clean energy source can be bought, but that is an expensive route. Most ship owners use blending, when renewable diesel is used with their other diesel or biogas with the LNG they use. Ship owners can also use wind propulsion or shore power, and if they charge from the grid or batteries it’s zero emission.

“Our experts can advise on future fuels and technological solutions to help owners increase efficiency, reduce fuel consumption and ensure compliance,” Karl adds. “If owners can reduce fuel consumption through efficiency, then it will be 
cheaper to comply with the regulations. That’s a cost benefit from day one.”