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Shipping Must Set a Course for Zero Emissions

Shipping is one of the largest and fastest-growing contributors to global emissions, responsible for around 1 billion tonnes of CO₂ each year. Without bold action, that could rise to 8% of global emissions by 2050. As climate change intensifies, the world cannot afford to delay.

We’re leading the transition to green shipping, not someday, but today. Through active engagement at the IMO and with national regulators, we’re helping shape practical, forward-looking standards for ammonia fuel safety, bunkering, and certification.

The future of clean maritime transport is within reach. We're helping chart the course.

Read the Report

From Fossil Fuels to Real Zero

The Shift Begins with Green Ammonia

Green ammonia is a zero-emission fuel made using renewable electricity and hydrogen. It’s scalable, energy-dense, and has the potential to completely replace fossil fuels in large vessels. But we need the right technologies, infrastructure, and policies to make it happen at scale.

We're showing the world how it can be done as part of our commitment to Real Zero. Unlike Net Zero, which often relies on carbon offsets, Real Zero means removing emissions entirely: replacing fossil fuels with renewable alternatives that are better for the planet, for business, and for the future.

Real Zero

What We’re Doing: The Green Pioneer

The Green Pioneer is the world's first green ammonia dual-powered vessel. 

This 75-metre vessel a game-changer in the push for zero-emissions shipping. Bypassing transitional fuels like biofuels and liquefied natural gases, it’s a bold step toward cutting fossil fuels from the maritime supply chain.

By converting a standard engine to run on green ammonia and making the technology visible to regulators, the project is fast-tracking global adoption of green marine fuel and putting green ammonia at the centre of the clean shipping revolution.

Fuelling the Future

The Green Pioneer is proof that a green shipping industry is not only possible — It's an incredible opportunity to combat carbon emissions, and to do so profitably.

Key facts

Developed in collaboration with industry leaders, the Green Pioneer has achieved key milestones in ammonia-powered propulsion, safety, training, and fuel transfer, paving the way for a sustainable shipping future.

  • A World First

    Successfully completed first ammonia fuel transfer in March 2024 in Singapore.

  • Engine Innovation

    Two of four engines were converted to run on a dual-fuel ammonia and diesel mix, with conversion undertaken in Seatrium Shipyard’s Benoi facility in Singapore.

  • Future-Ready

    Validated the use of green ammonia as a marine fuel, spearheading the development of a green ammonia fuel market from Fortescue’s and other global hydrogen projects.

  • Industry Leadership

    Developed in collaboration with the Class society DNV and the Singapore flag in just two years, as a demonstration of what could be possible for the industry.

How can global shipping decarbonise?

The UN’s International Maritime Organization (IMO) is making the most significant regulatory shift in shipping in a generation: a binding path to zero emissions by 2050.

By setting a fuel standard and introducing carbon pricing, the IMO is steering the industry away from polluting bunker fuel toward clean, renewable energy. This will make shipping the first sector with a comprehensive decarbonisation plan. Now, these decisions must be formally adopted. 

Continued leadership from governments, industry, and stakeholders is critical to turn this bold vision into action. Here's what needs to happen next:

  • Maintaining momentum and expanding the coalition

    Despite the progress, a number of petrostates opposed the final agreement, seeking to weaken its ambition and delay implementation. To maintain momentum, the coalition of countries that voted in favour of the framework must grow.

  • A Sustainable Transition

    Whatever fuel is used, it must be produced sustainably, with respect for land rights, human rights, and good governance. Biofuels will likely play a key early role, but their production risks harming food security and driving deforestation. The IMO has committed to developing guidelines and certification systems for the sustainability of biofuels and it is essential that these are strong and enforceable.

  • All emissions need to be credibly reported

    Clear rules are needed for calculating emissions across the entire fuel lifecycle, from production to use. This includes accounting for gas leaks in "blue" ammonia, verifying carbon capture rates, and ensuring renewable energy claims are accurate. Without robust, transparent lifecycle assessments, there’s a real risk emissions will be underestimated.

  • Everyone needs to be onboard – It must be a just and equitable transition.

    The IMO must deliver a strong, transparent system to support developing countries. While some petrostates claimed the IMO went too far, many small island states argued it didn’t go far enough, calling for a universal carbon levy and stronger financial commitments. These nations, most vulnerable to climate impacts and high shipping costs, need targeted, timely support to ensure a just transition.

News from the bridge

Learn more about what our Green Pioneer is up to around the world.