Fuelling the Future of Shipping: Key Barriers to Scaling Zero-Emission Fuel Supply

This report highlights the top 10 barriers limiting zero-emission fuel projects from getting past the final investment decision phase. The report, published in collaboration with Boston Consulting Group, is based on insights from more than 20 leading organizations with different vantage points along the maritime shipping value chain.

Maritime shipping, which moves over 80% of the world’s traded goods, is responsible for 2–3% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Among the decarbonization options available, the transition to zero-emission fuels is an important focus area. However, the sobering reality remains that over 95% of projects to produce these fuels are in the pre-final investment decision (FID) phase, meaning that the decision to invest capital and start construction has not been made.

While uncovering and transparently reporting the barriers limiting zero-emission fuel project FIDs forms the main basis of this report, it also offers an initial perspective on how to start addressing these barriers and get the first few projects off the ground; for example, through unconventional partnerships and business models with transparent cost and risk sharing.