Owners, charterers and suppliers meet in Singapore to discuss maritime decarbonisation

Held just days after this crucial IMO decision, the event brought together an unprecedented mix of charterers, shipowners, financial institutions and technology innovators.

The timing couldn’t have been more perfect, as industry leaders gathered to unpack the implications of what many described as a "watershed moment" for shipping: the first global industry with a unified carbon pricing mechanism. The location in Singapore, architect of the proposal itself, added symbolic significance to the proceedings.

Sessions on retrofit financing, advanced technology deployment, and detailed economic analyses of alternative fuels received enthusiastic audience engagement. Rather than debating whether to decarbonise, discussions pivoted decisively to determining the optimal mix of solutions for specific trade routes and vessel types.

Economic modelling presented during keynote sessions demonstrated how the newly approved carbon pricing mechanisms could make alternative fuels cost-competitive earlier than anticipated through innovative flexibility mechanisms that reward early movers. Leading financial institutions outlined evolving financing solutions, including sustainability-linked loans with performance-based incentives.

The second day spotlighted practical implementation of emerging technologies, with compelling data presented on wind-assist systems achieving 7-20% fuel savings with payback periods under four years. Carbon capture technologies featured prominently, with one major operator detailing an amine-based system installation with "payback well below four years."

The day included generous networking opportunities that proved invaluable for relationship building and deal-making. The supporting exhibition area remained consistently busy during the extended coffee breaks and sumptuous lunch buffet, with delegates continuing technical discussions while sampling international cuisine. The sponsored evening drinks reception provided a relaxed atmosphere for deeper connections between delegates, speakers and solutions providers - relationships essential for navigating the complex decarbonisation landscape collaboratively.

The global series continues with the Maritime Decarbonisation Europe Conference, Awards & Exhibition in Amsterdam (30 September-1 October 2025), bringing clarity on regulatory directions and decarbonisation pathways for both newbuilds and existing vessels. This will be followed by the Maritime Decarbonization Conference Americas in Houston (4-5 December 2025), where professionals will update on regulatory, operational and technical issues while forging key business relationships. Early booking is strongly recommended for both events.