Energy efficiency is the first step to decarbonisation.

The maritime industry is moving – gradually but with gathering purpose – towards net zero by 2050. This is the goal set by the IMO, and the date on everyone’s minds. This is positive, but what matters most right now is the speed and acceleration that gets us there. Putting decarbonisation into action now, using the best available data and technology, allows us to bend the curve, making real progress, locking it in, and achieving net zero sooner.

As regulations come into effect and technology gets more advanced, the imperative for all stakeholders is the same: act now.

But what does ‘act now’ mean for ship owners? At the moment, there’s really only one game in town: efficiency gains. Ship owners and managers must optimise their vessels to be as energy efficient as possible.

Efficiency gains will come primarily through the adoption of energy saving devices, which, when implemented well, can optimise the environmental performance of a vessel. The benefits for ship owners are clear: reduced fuel, emissions, and costs, better GHG Rating, plus vessels that are set up for the eventual adoption of future fuels (which will be less energy dense and so require greater storage capacity).

In this report, we look at the incoming regulations that will shape the behaviours of charterers, ship owners, and others over the next 5-15 years. We also examine the data on energy saving devices and their adoption, exploring how owners can maximise the impact of ESDs on their vessels.