Decarbonising Shipping: The Fuels, Technologies and Pathways to Net Zero, with The Global Maritime Forum

What will it take to decarbonise an industry responsible for moving more than 80% of global trade?

In this episode of Exploring Clean Energy, host Andy Marsland is joined by Jenny Ruffell-Smith, Australian Representative of the Global Maritime Forum, to explore one of the energy transition's biggest challenges: reducing emissions from global shipping.

Responsible for approximately 3% of global greenhouse gas emissions, the maritime industry plays a critical role in international trade. But with alternative fuels currently costing two to four times more than conventional marine fuels, the pathway to net zero is far from straightforward.

From ammonia and methanol to battery-powered vessels, wind-assisted propulsion and operational efficiencies, the industry is exploring multiple solutions to reduce emissions while keeping global trade moving.

Jenny takes Andy inside the technologies, economics and policies shaping maritime decarbonisation, from the challenge of making alternative fuels commercially viable and the importance of international regulation, through to Australia's opportunity to become a producer and exporter of cleaner marine fuels.

The conversation also explores the Australia–East Asia iron ore green shipping corridor, the role of major industry players including Fortescue, and why collaboration between governments, shipowners, fuel producers and cargo owners will be essential to accelerating the transition.

With momentum building globally, the question is no longer whether shipping will decarbonise, but how quickly the industry can turn ambition into action.

Meet the Guest

Jenny Ruffell-Smith: Australian Representative, Global Maritime Forum

Jenny Ruffell-Smith is the Australian Representative for the Global Maritime Forum, an independent, not-for-profit organisation working to accelerate the transition to a sustainable maritime industry.

Based in Brisbane, Jenny works across government, industry and the energy sector to advance maritime decarbonisation initiatives, including co-leading the Australia–East Asia iron ore green shipping corridor taskforce.

Her career spans freight forwarding, ship agency, shipping lines and international logistics, with experience working across Europe, Australia and the Pacific.

A secondment to the Maersk Mc-Kinney Møller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping in Denmark sparked her passion for maritime decarbonisation, combining her practical shipping experience with an interest in the global energy transition.

Today, Jenny brings a commercial and collaborative perspective to the challenges of decarbonising global trade, helping connect the organisations, technologies and policy initiatives needed to support a more sustainable maritime industry.

Minutes

0:00: Jenny's journey into maritime decarbonisation and the Global Maritime Forum

3:05: Why shipping's emissions matter and how the world is responding

6:16: Australia's position and the cost barriers to cleaner shipping

7:13: Cutting emissions through efficiency, wind-assisted propulsion and smarter operations

10:02: Where battery-powered and electric vessels fit into the future

11:08: The future fuels debate: ammonia, methanol, hydrogen and LNG

16:05: Understanding the green premium and who pays for cleaner shipping

17:37: The IMO Net Zero Framework and the role of global regulation

20:21: Australia's opportunity to produce, export and supply future marine fuels

21:56: Australia's Maritime Emissions Reduction National Action Plan and the iron ore green shipping corridor

27:36: What to watch over the next 24 months and beyond

33:32: Why maritime decarbonisation needs action now

Key Takeaways

Decarbonising shipping is a global challenge with significant economic implications. Moving more than 80% of global trade, the maritime industry is essential to the world economy. Reducing its emissions will require solutions that are commercially viable, scalable and supported by international cooperation.

There is no single fuel that will power the future of shipping. Ammonia, methanol, hydrogen, batteries and transitional fuels all have potential roles to play. The right solution will depend on vessel type, trade routes, infrastructure, fuel availability and safety considerations.

Reducing emissions doesn't have to wait for alternative fuels. Operational improvements, including route optimisation, vessel speed, hull design and wind-assisted propulsion, can deliver meaningful emissions reductions using technologies already available today.

The cost of cleaner fuels remains one of the industry's biggest barriers. With alternative fuels currently costing two to four times more than conventional options, scaling production, creating demand and establishing supportive regulation will be critical to making the transition commercially viable.

Australia has an opportunity to become a major player in cleaner maritime fuels. With abundant renewable energy resources, established export relationships and significant shipping trade routes, Australia is well positioned to develop alternative fuel production, strengthen energy security and support international bunkering markets.

Green shipping corridors are helping turn ambition into action. The Australia–East Asia iron ore green shipping corridor demonstrates how collaboration between fuel producers, ports, shipowners and major exporters can accelerate the development of infrastructure and demand needed to support lower-emission shipping.

Global regulation and industry collaboration will be essential. While individual companies and countries are making progress, consistent international policy will be important to creating investment certainty, supporting a fair transition and avoiding fragmented approaches to maritime emissions reduction.

Perhaps most importantly, the episode highlights that maritime decarbonisation is no longer simply a future ambition. Technologies are being deployed, major industry players are investing and international partnerships are progressing.

The challenge now is bringing more of the industry on board and turning momentum into meaningful emissions reductions.

About Exploring Clean Energy

Hosted by Andy Marsland and sponsored by Stellar Recruitment, Exploring Clean Energy brings listeners into the heart of the energy transition, exploring where innovation, technology and sustainability converge.

Through conversations with technical experts, project leaders and industry changemakers, the podcast examines the technologies, opportunities and challenges shaping Australia's energy future and the global transition to cleaner energy.

Links

Learn more about the Global Maritime Forum: www.globalmaritimeforum.org

Connect with Jenny Ruffell-Smith: LinkedIn

Follow the Global Maritime Forum: LinkedIn

Explore the Global Maritime Forum's Annual Progress Report on Green Sh...