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According to a new report from UCL Researchers, the marine transport industry can promote zero-emission fuel uptake through voluntary schemes, but strong verification of these schemes is required to ensure that strong verification of these schemes leads to long-term solutions.
The report, published by UCL Energy Institute in collaboration with consultant UMAS, laid out recommended guidelines for the international maritime shipping industry and ensures that a voluntary private “insertion” scheme effectively supports the shipping industry’s energy transition from fossil fuels.
An insertion is when a company is offset by a region where it is difficult to reduce carbon emissions for some of its business operations. For the shipping industry, this could mean switching to low-emission fuels, renewable energy at ports, or other changes.
This contrasts with carbon offsetting. Companies aim to compensate for their emissions by performing activities outside the typical business operations that draw carbon from the atmosphere, typically by planting trees.
The inset marine carrier can save carbon savings in a bank in one area, and perhaps other savings, such as a system called “books and claims,” such as a vessel that can’t convert one ship using zero-emission fuel.
The report highlights that maritime insertion schemes such as books and billing can encourage private investment in low- and zero-emission solutions before regulators need compliance through potential regulations. However, for these schemes to work, such private solutions require transparent, independent verification of carbon reduction.
Additionally, this report calls “the role of insertion in supporting the energy transition of shipping,” and approves advocato for the standardized adoption of the established GHG protocol of the project accounting tool to fully certify and verify greenhouse gas reduction claims, and to standardize the booking and billing methodology of smart cargo centers for which aspects of the industry should be standardized.
The report also calls for industry-led emission reduction efforts to exceed minimum regulatory requirements and to avert risks of more stringent future policies in line with the latest scientific standards.
Collectively, the marine transport industry is one of the world’s largest carbon emitters, contributing to around 3% of global emissions. The industry is working to enact its own reforms to reduce carbon emissions, such as replacing fossil fuels with lower emissions and using renewable energy at ports.
However, if not implemented correctly, these industry-led efforts can almost lead to meaningful carbon reductions and the possibility of stricter regulations.
Dr. Nishatabbas Rehmatulla (UCL Energy Institute) stated, “The emerging stage of the energy transition in shipping requires ambitious and voluntary action, and the insertion scheme provides one mechanism for providing this in particular. In particular, to achieve this potential, to achieve this potential, to achieve the latest science, to maintain the existence of modern science, to achieve the latest science, to achieve the latest science, to achieve the latest science, to achieve the latest science, to achieve the latest science, to achieve the latest science, to achieve the latest science, to achieve the latest science, to achieve the latest science, to achieve the latest science, to achieve the latest science, to achieve the latest science, to achieve the latest science, to achieve the latest science, to achieve the latest science, to achieve the latest science, to achieve the latest science, to achieve the latest science, to achieve the latest science, to achieve the latest science, to achieve the latest science, to achieve the latest science, to achieve the latest science, to achieve the latest science, to achieve the latest science, to achieve the latest science, to achieve the latest science, to achieve the latest science, to achieve the latest science, to achieve the latest science, to achieve the latest science, to achieve the latest science, to achieve the latest science, to achieve the latest science, to achieve the latest science, to achieve the latest science, to achieve the latest science, to achieve the latest science, to achieve the latest science, to achieve the latest science, to achieve the latest science, to achieve the latest science, to achieve the latest science, to achieve the latest science, to achieve the latest science, to achieve the latest science, to achieve the latest science, to achieve the latest science, to achieve the latest science, to achieve the latest science, to achieve the latest science, to achieve the latest science, to achieve the latest science, to achieve the latest science, to achieve the latest science, to achieve the latest science, to achieve the latest science, to achieve the latest science, to achieve the latest science, to achieve the latest science, to achieve the latest science, to achieve the latest science, to achieve the latest science, to achieve the latest science, to achieve the latest science, to achieve the latest science, to achieve the latest science, to achieve the latest science, to achieve the latest science, to achieve the latest science, to achieve the latest
In October, the United Nations International Maritime Organization is expected to meet and formally adopt new regulatory standards aimed at reducing the industry’s carbon emissions. Known as the IMO Net Zero Framework, the standard imposes mandatory emission reduction requirements on the marine transport industry to ensure that the industry reaches net zero carbon emissions by 2050.
Lead author, Professor Tristan Smith (UCL Energy Institute), said, “With the International Maritime Organization’s Zero Framework approval, role regulation is now greater, if not perfect, and therefore greater in the key gaps in supporting voluntary actions.
“One of the key risks discussed in this report is related to how greenhouse gas emission reduction efforts are perceived in both regulatory and voluntary initiatives, so the benefits of voluntary action may increasingly match the forms that IMO greenhouse gas emissions accounting may take.”
Provided by University College London
Quote: Carbon “insertion” can support the marine and shipping industry’s energy transition (July 21, 2025). Retrieved July 21, 2025 from https://techxplore.com/news/2025-07-inestting-marityme-shipping-industry.html
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