As debate continues over global climate targets, the maritime sector is charting its own course toward decarbonization, focusing on practical efficiency upgrades, hybrid systems, and collaboration ahead of SMM 2026.
While governments continue to struggle over climate policy, the global shipping industry is moving ahead with its own practical solutions. According to the latest SMM Maritime Industry Report (MIR), the sector is focusing less on political declarations and more on efficiency-driven technologies to meet the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) decarbonization goals.
The findings, based on a survey of about 1,500 maritime leaders, show that confidence in achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 remains mixed. Roughly half of shipowners and suppliers, and nearly as many shipyards, doubt the goal can be reached on time. “After all we are talking about roughly 90,000 ships world-wide, a gigantic undertaking that can hardly be accomplished within the given time frame,” said Dr. Klaus Borgschulte, Chairman of the SMM Advisory Committee.
Despite these concerns, sustainability remains high on the agenda. The report found that nine out of ten companies are now implementing specific environmental measures, up eight percent from the previous survey. “The IMO’s Net-Zero Framework is already reshaping investment decisions, operational strategies, and fuel choices,” said Knut Ørbeck-Nilssen, CEO of DNV Maritime. He noted that while the number of low-emission ships is rising, the supply of alternative fuels such as LNG, methanol, and hydrogen-based options remains limited.
Cost and fuel availability continue to drive decision-making. “In the end, cost and availability will be the decisive factors,” said Richard von Berlepsch, Fleet Director at Hapag-Lloyd. He added that efficiency upgrade, from propeller optimization to digital energy systems, are becoming central to competitiveness. The MIR shows that 78 percent of shipowners plan to invest in new technologies, especially propulsion systems and digital solutions.
According to Hauke Schlegel, CEO of VDMA Marine Equipment and Systems, “Our industry has the right technologies to lead the shipping sector to a climate-friendly future.” He emphasized that progress will depend on collaboration between shipbuilders, suppliers, and regulators.
Claus-Ulrich Selbach, Vice President Exhibitions Maritime & Energy at Hamburg Messe und Congress, agreed. “There won’t be that one single technology solution to achieve the IMO’s zero-emission goal by 2050,” he said. “There will be a combination of many technologies enabling the shipping sector to achieve net zero.”
Those technologies will take center stage at SMM 2026 in Hamburg next September, where the industry gathers under the theme “Driving The Maritime Transition.”
