Decarbonising Ocean Shipping | Sustainability & ESG

Why ocean decarbonisation matter

Global trade relies heavily on ocean shipping, making it one of the most important levers for reducing logistics GHG emissions.

Increasing regulatory pressure, customer expectations and the industry’s commitment to net-zero are accelerating demand for more efficient and lower-emission ocean transport solutions. These dynamics are reflected in Maersk’s focus on improving network and vessel efficiency while scaling the adoption of lower-GHG-emission fuels* and dual-fuel vessels, supported by ongoing investments in fleet renewal and operational optimisation to reduce GHG emissions across ocean operations.

Our ambition

We will take leadership in decarbonising global supply chains.

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Highlights in 2025

New vessels and efficiency retrofits

Ten dual-fuel methanol vessels joined our fleet during the year, with six additional dual-fuel vessels to be delivered in 2026. Maersk completed fuel saving initiatives on 230 of its own vessels and—for the first time—on 150 time-chartered vessels.

Securing lower-GHG-emission fuels

Maersk signed an initial framework fuel supply agreement with Avenir Marine Limited to deliver liquified biomethane (bio-LNG), a lower-GHG-emission fuel, with first volumes expected in 2027.

Improving energy efficiency

We reached an EEOI of 10.8 gCO2e/t nm compared to 11.1 in 2024, a record low for the third consecutive year. EEOI is an expression of emission per CO2e per unit of transport work and an important measure of ocean operational efficiency.

Priorities and actions

Maersk follows a diversified, fuel-agnostic portfolio strategy to ensure we can cut emissions now and over the mid-term as multiple pathways to net-zero emissions mature and, in the case fossil fuels start to wind down. Based on our pathway analysis of viable future lower-GHG-emission fuels for ocean shipping, we are currently prioritising the exploration of four alternative fuel types:

Biodiesels

Derived from waste as residue as feedstocks, biofuels have significant impact potential. Suitable as drop-in fuel in existing vessels, they are already powering our fleet and are sold as Maersk ECO Delivery Ocean.

Bio and e-methanol

Bio-methanol and e-methanol can be produced from sustainable biomass and renewable electricity. They have well-known handling and are powering vessels today.

Biomethane

We see promising developments in liquified biomethane (also known as bio-LNG) as a viable fuel pathway that can contribute to our energy transition’s fuel shift, although its full scaling abilities are yet to be seen. With the right sourcing and production pathway, bio-methane can achieve significant greenhouse gas reductions over its lifecycle and offers flexibility in the mid-term as other fuel pathways continue maturing. By diversifying our fleet of dual-fuel vessels, we gain technical and commercial knowledge and experience across multiple future fuel pathways, and we strengthen the toolkit that will lead us towards our near-term 2030 SBTi-validate targets.

Our requirements for current and possible future lower-GHG-emission fuels for ocean shipping are outlined in three policies:

Maersk green fuel requirements

Maersk biofuel sustainability requirements

Maersk methanol sustainability requirements

*Criteria for lower-GHG-emission fuels: 1) All lower-GHG-emission fuels must be certified by a third party to ensure credibility and have a proof of sustainability. 2) We look at lifecycle GHG savings; all fuels must meet the minimum reductions of the EU Renewable Energy Directive which is 65% for biofuels and 70% for e-fuels compared to referenced fossil fuel.

Featured highlights and case stories

The world’s first e-methanol bunkering

In 2025, Laura Mærsk—Maersk’s first dual-fuel methanol vessel—received the first e-methanol from the newly inaugurated Kassø facility in Aabenraa, Denmark. Developed by European Energy in collaboration with Mitsui & Co., the Kassø facility is the first of its kind globally to produce e-methanol at commercial scale.

Kassø operates entirely on renewable energy sources and has an annual production capacity of 42,000 tonnes of e-methanol using biogenic CO? from biogas and waste incineration combined with renewable electricity.

All the way to zero

Follow the history of Maersk’s actions to reach our net zero ambitions by 2040, from the early steps to today’s efforts. Look back at the introduction of the first dual-fuel capable vessel and engine, and explore the importance of supportive, industry level regulations and collaboration between many stakeholders to close the price gap between traditional fossil fuels and low emission alternatives.

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Maersk ECO Delivery: accelerate your net zero commitments

We are working closely with a broad range of customers to expand our lower-GHG-emission offerings. Maersk ECO Delivery substitutes fossil fuels with lower-GHG-emission fuels and harnesses our new technologies and vessels to provide an easier option for customers seeking to ship their cargo more sustainably.

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Maersk Emissions Studio

Whether you are looking for improved visibility over ocean freight greenhouse gas emissions data, or enhanced emissions reporting and optimisation across your logistics set up, the Maersk Emissions Studio is a single point solution for keeping your emissions targets in sight.

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Annual Report 2025

Our sustainability performance is reported as an integrated part of Maersk's Annual Report. See the report for more information on our progress towards our environmental, social, and governance ambitions.

Annual Report 2025