In a recent Maritime Impact article, classifiction society DNV offered a look into Great Eastern Shipping’s approach to decarbonization including bio bunker fuel trials, collaborating for green hydrogen and ammonia infrastructure and energy-saving retrofits:

In a time of regulatory uncertainty and evolving fuel options, shipowners like Great Eastern Shipping are taking a pragmatic route to decarbonization by focusing on flexible fleet upgrades and operational efficiencies while supporting Indian ports and government construction of a low-GHG fuel infrastructure.

As the shipping industry responds to IMO’s decarbonization goals for 2050, along with the interim targets for 2030 and 2040, many questions remain unanswered, reflecting the complexity of the path ahead. “The major challenge is the regulatory uncertainty,” says Capt. Ankush Gupta, Chief Operating Officer of the Great Eastern Shipping Company Ltd. (G E Shipping), India’s largest private-sector shipping company. “We desperately need a clear, final ‘basket of measures’, specifically the global fuel standard.” 

Drop-in biofuels can reduce emissions immediately

As shipowners and operators plot a course towards net-zero, they must carefully weigh their options to manage the potential increase in emission- and fuel-related costs. Which new fuel will be available at scale, when, and what will be the price tag? How long will it take ports to build up an adequate global bunkering infrastructure for new fuels? How will all this change the competitive environment? 

But this uncertainty has not stopped G E Shipping from taking action. “We are actively pursuing immediate, viable solutions,” says Gupta. “We’ve been a pioneer in India by successfully completing trials of marine biofuel blends on our tankers. This was a landmark achievement, demonstrating that sustainable drop-in fuels can achieve instant, meaningful emissions reductions in our existing fleet without requiring massive capital investment in engine modifications.” G E Shipping is now using biofuels on selected voyages where supply logistics allow, Gupta adds. 

Collaborating for green hydrogen and ammonia infrastructure in Indian ports

Operating a fleet of roughly 40 tankers, bulk carriers, and gas carriers, with more to be added soon, the company is pursuing a cautious but steady fleet renewal strategy in line with India’s ambitious national maritime vision.  

“Our decarbonization efforts are in line with the Indian government’s Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047 and the Harit Sagar initiatives,” says Gupta. “As the country’s leading private-sector shipping company, we feel a responsibility to champion this transition. We’re very open to collaborating with Indian ports and government bodies, providing operational insights to help them shape the necessary infrastructure for green shipping corridors, especially in line with the national vision for green hydrogen and ammonia.”

Energy-saving devices and operational measures buy time

DNV’s Maritime Advisory experts completed a decarbonization study for G E Shipping’s entire fleet a few years ago, resulting in CII ratings and a decarbonization plan that delivers actionable recommendations. This has enabled G E Shipping to commit its resources to the most effective and cost-efficient measures. “Our primary focus is on energy-saving devices, installed during dry dockings,” says Gupta. “We’ve invested heavily in propulsion efficiency, fitting pre-swirl devices and high-efficiency propellers to reduce energy losses. These technical retrofits, along with engine part-load optimization, high-performance hull coatings, and hull cleaning, deliver substantial fuel and CO2 reductions.”  

Proactive biofouling management and the use of combustion catalysts are supporting these measures, while advanced voyage optimization and smarter autopilot systems help the vessels select the most efficient itineraries, achieving additional, measurable savings. G E Shipping is also exploring just-in-time arrival, working with the Blue Visby Consortium. “For the long term, our R&D evaluates technologies like air lubrication systems, wind-assisted propulsion, and onboard carbon capture as critical components for meeting our ultimate decarbonization goals,” remarks Gupta. 

Nevertheless, the company is well aware that these are short-term fixes, he adds. “These operational measures buy us time, but they won’t meet the ambitious mid-term targets.”

Note: The full article by DNV can be found here.

Photo credit: Great Eastern Shipping
Published: 29 October, 2025