Knut Ørbeck-Nilssen, CEO of Maritime at DNV, said that decarbonization is the biggest topic in shipping today, growing in importance every year.

Ørbeck-Nilssen said in 2023, the IMO set the industry on a course for full decarbonization by or around 2050, with some shorter-term goals along the way. He was speaking at DNV’s Maritime Energy Transition Summit (METS) 2025.

“We are now halfway into the 2000 and twenties, and the first of these goals at 20 percent reduction in emissions compared to 2008 levels by 2030 is already on the horizon, without enforcement in place,” he added.

Ørbeck-Nilssen said that recent legislation is putting a price on emissions, with similar rules expected to be implemented by the IMO in 2027.

But the drive for decarbonization is not just coming from the regulatory side, he said, as there is a push being seen for greener shipping from cargo ship owners, financiers and the wider society.

He added that carbon neutral versions of fuels like methanol and ammonia look highly promising decarbonization solutions, while LNG is playing an increasingly significant role in the energy transition.

According to Ørbeck-Nilssen, great strides are being made, and he said that it is inspiring to see collaboration in shipping with key stakeholders outside the industry to drive the production and uptake of these fuels.

“After another record year of new orders for alternative fueled vessels, it is also encouraging to see ship owners around the world making hard choices and investing in flexibility to burn these alternative fuels,” he noted.

Ørbeck-Nilssen said that energy efficiency begins with operational measures like speed and route optimization, exploring innovative technologies and reintroducing sails on modern vessels.

Energy efficiency makes sense regardless of fuel choice and future price of carbon emissions. Finding the optimal combination of measures and technologies is challenging though, and the effectiveness of many measures is still to be validated, he added.

“Energy efficiency done effectively can contribute significantly to decarbonization while also driving more profitable operations. It is crucial for maintaining operational and commercial integrity; ship owners, managers and charterers now depend on reliable, standardized data related to emissions compliance.”

“There are numerous challenges that can slow down the pace of decarbonization, including technological immaturity, regulatory hurdles, geopolitical events and not least, economic constraints. However, it is crucial that we never lose sight of our goals and keep moving. Time is of the essence and delaying is not an option,” he said.

“We must remain committed to the vision of a sustainable and carbon neutral maritime industry.”

Ørbeck-Nilssen emphasized that by working together, sharing knowledge and supporting innovation, the industry can overcome obstacles and continue to make meaningful strides towards a greener future.