Regulatory uncertainty is increasing pressure on shipowners to make investment decisions that remain viable across multiple future scenarios, said classification society DNV on Thursday (27 August). 

According to DNV’s 10th Maritime Forecast to 2050, stronger global regulatory signals could accelerate the uptake of energy-efficiency measures, enabling the global fleet to consume up to 25% less energy by 2050 compared to a scenario where regulation is driven by regions.

The report examines four regulatory scenarios, ranging from adoption of the IMO Net-Zero Framework (NZF) in its current form to its outright rejection, which could lead to a period of prolonged regulatory gridlock, and explores the implications of these outcomes for fuel demand, energy efficiency uptake, and long-term fleet fuel and technology strategies.

Cristina Saenz de Santa Maria, CEO Maritime, DNV, said: “Ships ordered today will operate well beyond 2050, but many of the factors shaping their future performance remain uncertain. Regulatory requirements are advancing faster than the fuel, infrastructure, and technological systems needed to support them, making long-term investment decisions increasingly complex. The industry therefore needs greater clarity and alignment among all stakeholders to provide the confidence required for long-term investment. In the meantime, shipowners need strategies that deliver benefits today while remaining resilient across a range of regulatory and market outcomes.”

Energy efficiency is one of the most immediate and practical levers available to shipowners, delivering value across regulatory outcomes whether implemented at the newbuild stage or as a retrofit. A case study of a hydrodynamic measures retrofit on a 5,000 TEU container vessel showed potential annual fuel savings of 16%, with a payback time of around one to four years depending on future fuel prices. Retrofits can add similar value across many ship types and with sufficient planning can typically be completed during a standard class-renewal dry docking.

The development of the marine low-GHG fuel market remains a key challenge. While significant progress has been made in expanding alternative-fuel capabilities of vessels, scaling fuel production depends on confidence that demand will materialize. DNV projects shipping demand for low-GHG fuels to range from 4 to 22 Mtoe by 2030 and 33 to 185 Mtoe by 2050, depending on regulatory outcomes, with uptake also shaped by future uptake of shore power, plug-in hybridization, nuclear power, and onboard carbon capture systems.

Current project pipelines indicate a maximum global supply of 270 Mtoe by 2030, although actual volumes are likely to be lower due to project delays and other uncertainties, and shipping will need to compete with other industries for its share. However, the cost of reducing emissions varies significantly between fuel pathways, with abatement costs ranging from about 180 to 1,290 USD per tonne of CO₂ avoided, highlighting the importance of regulation and market incentives in enabling low-GHG fuel markets to develop.

Øyvind Sekkesæter, lead author of Maritime Forecast to 2050, said: “Scenarios explored in this year’s report show how different regulatory futures can lead to very different outcomes in energy efficiency uptake, fuel demand, and consequently, GHG emissions. By testing fuel and technology choices across multiple scenarios, shipowners can identify strategies that create value today while preserving flexibility as regulation, fuel availability, prices, and technologies evolve. Strategies that each owner chooses will also be dependent on their fleet type and operating context.”

Key findings from the report: 

• Several regulatory futures remain possible as the IMO continues negotiations on the Net-Zero Framework, with these outcomes shaping investment decisions, low-GHG fuel uptake, and energy-efficiency deployment across the global fleet.
• With global regulatory incentives in place, the world-fleet could consume 25% less energy by 2050 than under a scenario limited to regional regulations.
• Energy efficiency can pay off regardless of regulatory outcome – 5,000 TEU container ship case study shows 16% annual fuel savings from hydrodynamic measures retrofit.
• Shipping demand for low-GHG fuels could range from 4 to 22 Mtoe by 2030, and 33 to 185 Mtoe by 2050, depending on regulatory outcomes and the availability of these fuels in a competitive global market.
• Current project pipelines indicate that a maximum of 270 Mtoe of supply could be available by 2030, though actual volumes are likely to be lower due to project delays and other uncertainties, and shipping will need to compete with other industries for its share.
• Testing fuel and technology strategies across different scenarios can help shipowners identify robust choices for an uncertain transition. Testing, piloting, and verifying technologies can provide the trusted performance data needed to make investment decisions with greater confidence.

Note: DNV’s 10th Maritime Forecast to 2050 can be found here. 

Photo credit: DNV
Published: 28 August, 2026

UK-based firm Core Power on Wednesday (19 August) said it has signed a Memorandum of Collaboration with the Port of Corpus Christi Authority (PCCA), establishing a framework for a site-specific maritime nuclear readiness study at the Port of Corpus Christi. 

The study will examine how a major US energy and trade gateway could prepare for two additional distinct future roles: as a potential location for a floating nuclear power plant (FNPP) supplying firm power for port and regional demand, and as a gateway for future calls by nuclear-powered commercial ships.

For the Port, the work is intended to provide a practical evidence base for considering how future ship-based power and shipping technologies could support regional growth, energy resilience and long-term competitiveness. 

For Core Power, the study will build out the practical requirements of its two product pathways in a real port operating environment. FNPPs require suitable sites, grid connections, customers, regulatory and environmental pathways, operating arrangements and long-term service support. Nuclear-powered commercial ships require safe and predictable pathways for transit, berthing and routine port operations. 

“The Port of Corpus Christi provides an opportunity to assess both pathways separately while understanding the shared infrastructure, safety, regulatory and commercial questions around them,” the company said. 

Separately, PCCA Commissioners have agreed to execute a Memorandum of Cooperation with the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration to examine the technical, regulatory and operational requirements for U.S. seaports to support the potential deployment of floating nuclear power plants and provide safe harbour for civil nuclear-powered vessels. 

The agreement recognises PCCA’s work with Core Power to assess the feasibility of both pathways. 

“Taken together, these separate but complementary agreements represent an important step toward translating maritime nuclear technology into practical readiness requirements for US ports,” Core Power said. 

Jeff Pollack, Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer of the Port of Corpus Christi Authority, said: “Port Corpus Christi, as the preeminent energy gateway in North America, is committed to remaining a leader in the global energy marketplace, even as that marketplace expands and evolves. 

“This collaboration will help us understand what would be required technically, environmentally, operationally and commercially for floating nuclear power plants and future calls by nuclear-powered commercial ships to be considered in the real-world context of the Port. It is about gathering evidence and keeping our region competitive for future investment, industry, and high-value jobs.”

Related: Port of Corpus Christi ink agreement to explore nuclear maritime technologies

Photo credit: Core Power
Published: 21 August, 2026

Texas’ Port of Corpus Christi on Wednesday (19 August) signed an agreement with US Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) to kick off a new partnership focused on small modular reactor (SMR) technology for maritime applications. 

Through a Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC), MARAD and the Port of Corpus Christi agreed to work together to explore opportunities to advance maritime energy systems, including through the potential integration of SMR technologies, resilient port microgrids, shoreside power architecture, infrastructure capable of supporting emerging vessel propulsion concepts, and related workforce development opportunities.

By testing the latest innovations in SMRs, the Department said it can help revitalise US shipbuilding and cut fuel costs.

“Small modular reactors have the potential to reshape America’s maritime sector, lower shipping costs, and bolster our supply chains,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy. 

“This agreement with the Port of Corpus Christi demonstrates that the leading energy port in the nation understands the significance of this technology,” said Maritime Administrator Stephen  M. Carmel. 

“SMR integration has the potential to drive down costs and guarantee that our critical Gulf Coast maritime supply chains remain resilient against any contingency, from extreme weather to power grid disruptions, while training the next generation of high-skilled American mariners.”

This is the second agreement the Department has signed since Secretary Duffy launched the SMR initiative in May.

In June, the Trump Administration signed an agreement to establish the nation’s first testing area for nuclear-powered vessels with the Port of Long Beach.

Related: Long Beach becomes first US port to partner with MARAD on nuclear-powered shipping

Photo credit: US Department of Transportation
Published: 20 August, 2026