World Maritime News
WMNF 01/04/2026
IMO’s green rankings are a fight for fuel market share
The IMO’s work on carbon-intensity rankings for marine fuels, while presented as a technical climate-policy exercise, is, in reality, a battle over future fuel market share. Small differences in assigned emission factors—especially for LNG—can lead to major financial consequences for shipowners, including compliance issues or multi-million-dollar penalties. As a result, countries with fuels to sell are pushing for classifications that favor their own exports. Overall, the debate shows that, IMO, climate regulation is not only about decarbonization but also about geopolitics, fuel competitiveness, and who wins or loses in the future maritime energy market.
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Shipping won’t fix its methane slip without regulation, says industry group
The European industry group, The Methane Abatement in Maritime Innovation Initiative (MAMII), argues that LNG shipping will not address methane slip without regulation and urges the EU to introduce regulatory credits that reward reductions. While new engine designs have significantly reduced methane slip, older and leakier engines still dominate the global fleet. MAMII is calling for support for abatement technologies such as oxidation catalysts and plasma reactors, warning that without incentives or penalties, action will be delayed or avoided. Although methane emissions will now fall under the EU ETS, MAMII cautions that European maritime technology firms could lose out to competitors in Asia and elsewhere unless the EU actively nurtures domestic solutions, despite LNG remaining a key marine fuel for many years.
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Automotive sector set for disruption as large vehicle carriers remain stranded in Gulf
The effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz has severely disrupted automotive shipping, leaving 15 vehicle carriers stranded in the Gulf of the Middle East. Before the crisis, up to 25 car carriers per week served Gulf ports, mainly carrying vehicles from Asia. Because vehicle carriers operate on highly interconnected global routes, the loss of even a small number of ships has disrupted fixed liner schedules worldwide. The impact is especially serious for Asian automakers, with the Middle East being a key export market—particularly for China, which shipped about 1.4 million vehicles to the region in 2025. Japanese, Chinese, and South Korean operators are among the most exposed. While companies are diverting ships to alternative ports in India, Oman, and Saudi Arabia and using overland transport, these measures are raising costs and long-term risks across global automotive and parts supply chains.
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LNG a ‘blessing in disguise’ as shipping mulls alternatives amid bunker shortage
Geopolitical tensions, particularly around the Strait of Hormuz, have led to shortages and higher prices of conventional marine fuels such as HSFO and VLSFO. As a result, shipowners are increasingly considering LNG as an alternative bunker fuel. LNG offers diversified sourcing options (including the US, Canada, and Australia) and may be cost-effective in the long term, especially when carbon tax exemptions are factored in. CMA CGM plans to expand its LNG dual-fuel fleet to 144 vessels by 2030. However, LNG adoption faces limitations, notably reduced supply following attacks affecting Qatar, a major LNG exporter, as well as environmental concerns related to methane slip. Consequently, industry leaders emphasize the importance of a diverse mix of alternative fuels, such as ethanol and ammonia, to enhance energy security and resilience against geopolitical disruptions.
Read more: Lloyd’s List