We are at a turning point for net zero shipping. Next week, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) will vote on the adoption of its Net Zero Framework, arguably the most significant climate decision the shipping sector has faced in decades.
It’s a moment of both challenge and opportunity. The proposed framework, while a political compromise, would provide the first global commitment to bring shipping in line with the 1.5°C climate goal. With nearly 100,000 vessels under its scope, this framework sets a clear direction: zero or near-zero GHG fuels will become the backbone of maritime transport.
For the PtX market, this decision carries transformative weight. Shipping has the potential to become the anchor market that unlocks global demand for e-ammonia and e-methanol. These fuels are indispensable not only for defossilising ships, but also for scaling Power-to-X industries. Without demand certainty, these projects struggle to reach bankability. The IMO framework begins to shift that balance by providing long-term clarity to investors, producers, and policymakers alike.
But the decision goes beyond technology and fuels. It is also a test of international cooperation. If adopted, the Net Zero Framework will include support for capacity building and climate finance through a dedicated IMO fund, which will ensure that developing countries are not left behind. It recognises that a just transition must be global and inclusive. This is why we believe the framework should be backed. Not because it’s perfect, but because it’s a start. It creates the conditions for future ambition, for effective implementation, and for building international trust in multilateral governance.
While the IMO’s Net Zero Framework sets a global direction, countries are already moving. In this RE:PtX issue, we share recent analyses on how Kenya and South Africa are exploring Green Shipping Corridors and PtX fuel production, while our first Train-of-Trainers with the IMO's GreenVoyage2050 Programme is building capacity to implement maritime decarbonisation on the ground. Together, these developments show early steps toward putting the global framework into practice. We also explored opportunities for decentralised green ammonia production, Tajikistan’s PtX ambitions, and recent shifts in EU hydrogen legislation. Enjoy the read.
Torsten Schwab, Carolin Capone and Frank Mischler
Directors of the International Power-to-X Hub |
