According to the latest Annual Progress Report on Green Shipping Corridors by the Zero Emission Coalition and the Global Maritime Forum, the global effort to develop green shipping corridors gained momentum in 2025. This year, 25 new zero-emission trade routes were launched, and major developing economies participated in this effort more decisively.
The report identified 25 new green shipping corridor projects, including those in China, India, Brazil, Chile, Ghana, and Kenya, bringing the total number of initiatives worldwide to 84. Grouped by development stage, 24 green corridors are in the earliest initiative stage, 16 are in the early stages of exploration, 28 are in the advanced stages of exploration, 12 are in the preparation stage, and four are in the most advanced implementation stage.
The report categorizes projects in the realization stage for the first time, dividing them into two: construction, defined by the building of ships /or fuel facilities, and operation, where zero-emission shipping routes are in service.
The four green corridors in the realization stage are Oslo-Rotterdam, Stockholm-Turku, Vaasa-Umea, and the only deep-sea route, Australia-East Asia Iron Ore. The Stockholm-Turku and Vaasa-Umeå corridors have become operational.
The number of projects in the pre-commercial and commercial preparation stage doubled compared to last year, meaning barriers to realization are being removed and steps are being taken towards the realization of the green corridor.
The report notes that while uncertainty about the future market is increasing due to the persistent cost difference between traditional and low-emission fuels and delayed policies, hesitations have emerged regarding the future direction of green corridors.
Jesse Fahnestock, decarbonization director at the Global Maritime Forum, said, “It is at least 12 months until the adoption of the IMO’s Net Zero Framework. This time can be spent waiting, or it can be used to create projects that generate strategic economic advantages, produce information that can influence the IMO’s reward mechanism, and place participants at the forefront for future global rewards. Those who act now will be in the best position to benefit when regulations come into effect.”
The report views the delay in the Net Zero Framework (NZF) at the IMO as an opportunity for green corridor stakeholders to proactively collaborate with the IMO, engage in policy-making, share lessons learned, and influence the shape of future reward mechanisms.
The report also recommends that cargo owners’ willingness to pay for e-fuels be better linked with corridors. According to the report, connections were established between corridors and the Zero Emission Maritime Buyers Alliance (ZEMBA) in 2024, but more work could be done to identify cargo owners willing to pay a premium to reduce indirect emissions in their supply chains.
Relevant national policy tools were identified in the EU, Australia, and Norway, and it is recommended that all green corridors replicate or leverage these policies.
The report states, “For routes where there are no policy tools to bridge the cost gap, the next step is to work on replicating and adapting existing policy measures in the relevant geographies.” It continues with the following statements: “This is particularly important for countries like China, Brazil, and India, which offer a favorable policy environment in terms of strategy and targets, but are still developing the specific tools necessary to implement these strategies. Leveraging lessons from initial hydrogen policies can help increase the cost-effectiveness of measures and create a more resilient policy environment in the long term.”
Source:
