Maersk Center Calls for Targeted Incentives to Accelerate Low‑Carbon Marine Fuels

The Maersk Mc‑Kinney Møller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping released a report urging policymakers to design targeted financial incentives that bridge the cost gap between low‑ and zero‑emission marine fuels and conventional fossil fuels. It recommends harmonised reward rates for lower‑cost abatement and differentiated rewards to support next‑generation fuels such as e‑ammonia and e‑methanol, while treating multipliers as a secondary lever when funding is limited. The report evaluates fixed rates, flexible rates and auction mechanisms for distributing support.

A separate analysis highlights that the shipping industry often relies on headline performance figures for clean technologies, such as air‑lubrication systems, which can overstate real‑world savings. Empirical data from the centre shows net fuel savings ranging from 0% to 6% depending on vessel draft, hull form, speed and sea state. This credibility gap, compounded by tighter carbon‑intensity regulations and rising bunker costs, is prompting ship owners to demand vessel‑specific performance data before committing capital.