Maritime decarbonisation and low‑carbon fuels

In early August 2026, the Maersk Mc‑Kinney Møller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping released a report urging policymakers to create targeted financial incentives that narrow the cost gap between low‑ and zero‑emission marine fuels and conventional bunker fuel. The report recommended harmonised reward rates, differentiated support for next‑generation fuels such as e‑ammonia and e‑methanol, and highlighted the need for vessel‑specific performance data to address credibility gaps in claimed fuel‑saving technologies.

A few days later, the Port of Algeciras in southern Spain hosted two Maersk container vessels equipped with dual‑fuel engines capable of running on conventional fuel and alternative fuels like green methanol. The arrival underscored the port’s expanding role as a Mediterranean hub for low‑carbon bunkering, with new supply options for LNG, bio‑fuels and methanol backed by public and private investment. Maersk’s deployment of hybrid ships aligns with its net‑zero by 2040 ambition, translating the Center’s policy recommendations into operational steps toward a decarbonised shipping sector.