Growing regulatory momentum and customer expectations are placing decarbonisation at the centre of maritime strategy. DNV together with the World Maritime Merchants Forum ESG team has released the Net Zero Guide Practical Approaches for Global Shipping Companies to help owners move from ambition to execution.
Key pillars of the framework
The publication structures action around three pillars.
· Energy efficiency initiatives such as hull optimisation, digital weather routing, and slow steaming that cut fuel use immediately.
· Phased fuel transition plans that evaluate dual fuel retrofits, green methanol pilots, and ammonia ready designs.
· Financial alignment that connects compliance data with investment decisions, ensuring new tonnage earns premiums in charter markets.
A non-obvious insight
The guide recommends that smaller operators pool data through neutral digital platforms to create fleet level baselines. This collective approach can unlock analytics that were previously affordable only for large corporations, leveling the playing field without substantial capital outlays.
Managing cost and complexity
Regulations like the European Union Emissions Trading System and the International Maritime Organization carbon intensity indicators can appear daunting. The guide breaks each rule into clear checkpoints and offers templates that integrate with existing safety management systems. By adopting the proposed lifecycle view of vessels, owners can avoid stranded assets and stage upgrades alongside regular dry dock cycles, turning compliance into a routine maintenance event.
Building organisational capability
DNV and WMMF emphasise structured competence development. Suggested curricula cover alternative fuels handling, emissions accounting, and digital twin utilisation. Strong change management processes help crews and shore teams internalise new routines, sustaining performance beyond initial audits.
Conclusion
The Net Zero Guide arrives at a pivotal moment when data transparency market forces and policy drivers converge. By translating regulation into actionable steps and highlighting cooperative data
models, the guide equips shipping companies of all sizes to chart a confident course toward sustainable profitability.