The uptake of pilot and demonstration projects is a vital step in pushing forward the transition to zero emission fuels for the maritime industry. The second edition of the Getting to Zero Coalition’s Mapping of Zero Emission Pilots and Demonstration Projects demonstrates the scale and diversity of projects already underway.

The ambition of the Getting to Zero Coalition is to have commercially viable zero emission vessels operating along deep sea trade routes by 2030. But at what degree of adoption do zero emission fuels become “commercially viable”? An S-curve based analysis suggests that zero emission fuels need to make up 5 percent of the international shipping fuel mix by 2030 to enable decarbonization in line with Paris goals.

It’s the moment climate finance professionals live for: when an idea—an initiative—is turned into real world action by real world actors. A year after the Poseidon Principles were signed, 15 banking signatories have now disclosed their ship loan portfolios’ climate alignment scores for 2019.

The holiday season is approaching fast for much of the world’s population and will be an opportunity for many to spend time with family and friends. But for thousands of seafarers, the ongoing crew change crisis deprives them even of the hope of being home in time for the holidays.

The shipping industry often talks about seafarers and the problems facing them, but it can be difficult to generate data about how those at sea feel about their jobs and lives. In seeking insight from ships the question of whether seafarers are happy is often overlooked.

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, which stranded or left jobless thousands of seafarers, Camille Simbulan, one of the Future Maritime Leaders essay competition winners, argues that we must look beyond the numbers and not forget the lives and stories behind them.

Jonathan Brown, one of the three winners of the Future Maritime Leaders essay competition, explores how current practices in ship recycling are damaging human health and the environment and how it can be done differently in support of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Nikol Hearn, one of the three winners of the Future Maritime Leaders essay competition, argues that the shipping sector can be made climate friendly and presents challenges as well as opportunities that lie in shipping decarbonisation.

The next generation of maritime leaders believe the maritime sector can contribute to the Sustainable Development Agenda most significantly by reducing its impact on the environment, promoting inclusive growth, improving the wellbeing of seafarers, and diversifying its workforce.

The decarbonization of shipping requires partnerships that bring together both the supply and demand sides of sustainable fuels. A new Copenhagen-based partnership can serve as an inspiration for other companies to look to the future of sustainable fuels.