The global push to develop green shipping corridors gathered momentum in 2025, with 25 new zero-emission trade routes launched this year and major emerging economies stepping more firmly into the effort, according to the latest Annual Progress Report on Green Shipping Corridors from the Getting to Zero Coalition and the Global Maritime Forum.
The fourth edition of the report, At a Crossroads, lifts the worldwide tally to 84 active corridor initiatives—up from 59 a year ago—and shows a marked shift in activity toward China (+4), India (+4), Brazil (+2), Chile (+2), Ghana, and Kenya. The authors said these countries are positioning themselves early to capture the industrial and energy-market advantages tied to new zero-emission fuels and bunkering hubs.
The update landed just weeks after the International Maritime Organization pushed back adoption of its planned Net-Zero Framework until at least October next year, delaying a system intended to help close the cost gap between fossil fuels and cleaner alternatives. The report cautioned that the setback risks fuelling a “wait-and-see” attitude that could stall progress.
“The move of major countries like China, India and Brazil into green corridors is hugely promising,” said Jesse Fahnestock, director of decarbonisation at the Global Maritime Forum. “But these corridors aren’t just climate projects—they’re strategic economic infrastructure. Early movers stand to gain on energy, trade and technology.”
For the first time, four green corridor projects have now reached the “realisation” phase, where vessel construction, fuel production, or port infrastructure buildout is underway. Even so, many initiatives remain stuck at the feasibility stage, where high fuel costs and uncertain policy support continue to slow investment decisions.
Compared with last year’s report, the mix of shipping segments has changed little. The main exception is a jump in tanker activity, driven largely by the addition of six ammonia-carrier corridors. There has also been a notable rise in initiatives listed as “to be determined,” reflecting the wave of newly announced corridors that have yet to finalise key details such as the vessel segment.
The report urged governments and industry to use the next 12 months to advance projects rather than wait for IMO clarity. It highlighted national programmes—including the EU’s Global Gateway, H2Global and Australia’s Hydrogen Headstart—as immediate tools that could move corridors into advanced stages and help secure first-mover status once the IMO finalises its policy.
“We have at least 12 months before the IMO’s Net-Zero Framework is adopted,” Fahnestock said. “That time can either be spent waiting, or used to build projects that create strategic advantages and position participants for future global rewards. Those who act now will be best placed when regulation catches up.”
To maintain momentum, the report recommended that corridor partners push ahead with efforts to shrink the fuel cost gap, ensure readiness for future IMO incentives, engage more actively with cargo owners willing to pay a premium for cleaner transport, and lean on national policy to accelerate early deployments.
Since the concept emerged with the Clydebank Declaration at COP26 in 2021, green corridors have been seen as a proving ground for new fuels and technologies that could set the pace for wider decarbonisation across shipping. The authors noted that their impact extends beyond hardware and investments—many of the biggest shifts are happening behind the scenes through collaboration between ports, shipowners, fuel suppliers and regulators. With the industry approaching key 2030 climate milestones, the report highlighted the next few years will determine whether green corridors transition from pilots to a scaled global network capable of shifting the sector onto a net-zero track.
