GCMD and INTERCARGO partner on EETs and alternative bunker fuels for dry bulk segment

The Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation (GCMD) on Thursday (7 August) said it has signed a two-year Coalition partnership with the International Association of Dry Cargo Shipowners (INTERCARGO) to accelerate decarbonisation efforts in the dry bulk segment. 

Dry bulk is the world’s largest shipping segment by tonnage and presents unique decarbonisation challenges, particularly for small and medium-sized owners operating unpredictable tramp trades. This partnership combines GCMD’s technical insights and experience in executing pilots with INTERCARGO’s member reach and IMO engagement to help close critical adoption and operational gaps.

GCMD and INTERCARGO will collaborate to promote the adoption of energy efficiency technologies (EETs) amongst dry bulk shipowners and facilitate mutual knowledge exchange on advancements in low- and zero-carbon-fuelled dry bulk vessels.

Bulk carriers are critical to global seaborne trade, accounting for 42.7% of the world’s oceangoing fleet by deadweight tonnage (dwt). INTERCARGO, recognised as the voice of dry bulk shipping, represents more than one-third of global dry bulk tonnage through its membership.

Dry bulk vessels often operate on a ‘tramp’ trade basis with irregular and unpredictable routes, which makes it challenging for these vessels to plan bunkering at ports that offer zero- or near-zero-emission (ZNZ) fuels. Global bunkering infrastructure also remains in development, with ZNZ fuels unlikely to be available at all ports in the foreseeable future.

Whilst the industry works to scale ZNZ fuel availability and ready ports for their handling and bunkering, there is an urgent need to adopt pragmatic, near-term solutions, such as drop-in biofuels, onboard carbon capture systems and EETs, to meet the International Maritime Organisation’s (IMO) decarbonisation targets. 

To address this, GCMD is actively conducting pilots and trials to lower barriers for the broad market adoption of these solutions. With INTERCARGO’s operational expertise and member network, the partnership will help advance the deployment of these solutions across the dry bulk segment.

Shipowners often face challenges in deploying EETs due to fuel savings uncertainty and some face limited access to financing. GCMD is installing sensors onboard vessels to validate fuel savings that will underpin Pay-As-You-Save (PAYS), a financing model that GCMD is developing in parallel to link repayments to verified fuel savings. The collaboration aims to accelerate the uptake of EETs in this segment.

Photo credit: Scott Graham
Published: 11 August, 2025