Wärtsilä head: ‘Future-proof vessels for 30 years’
We catch up with the GSM (Newbuild), UK & Ireland, at Wärtsilä Marine, John Grant, an expert in alternative fuels and carbon capture
Following initial approval in April 2025, the formal adoption of the IMO Net-Zero Framework was postponed in October 2025 by a year. Crucially, it would have been the first official agreement to “combine mandatory emissions limits and GHG pricing across an entire industry sector”, including a “legally binding framework to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from ships globally”.
There are now concerns the delay will cause complexity for global operators, and uncertainty in the market. In this interview, Wärtsilä UK’s General Manager John Grant has reassuring words for those betting on fuel flexibility, and carbon capture and storage technology.
Has the delay of IMO’s Net-Zero Framework affected shipowner’s interests and plans to adopt alternative fuels?
The global regulatory landscape is constantly evolving, and whilst the delay in the IMO’s Net-Zero Framework vote until 2026 may lead to some uncertainty in the market, we firmly believe that investment in more sustainable shipping - including alternative fuels - will continue, driven by a strong demand to meet both regulatory and market expectations.
Against this backdrop, we continue to collaborate closely with owners and operators to de-risk long-term investments and reduce operating costs through a flexible, future-proof portfolio of technologies. Whether our customers are building new vessels or retrofitting existing ones, our solutions are designed to deliver strong performance today while being ready for the challenges of tomorrow.
How does the framework and its delay impact the progress of shipping retrofits and newbuilds for carbon capture and storage (CCS)?
The development of CCS technology is essential in the maritime industry's strategy to achieve net zero emissions. Despite the delay in the IMO's Net-Zero Framework, CCS remains a crucial and scalable solution for reducing emissions in both existing fleets and newbuilds, ensuring compliance with increasingly stringent regulations.
Although the IMO's regulatory timeline is shifting, the growing commercial pressure to decarbonise is driving shipowners and charterers to invest in CCS technology. The ability to capture CO2 from ship exhaust systems will significantly impact the industry's efforts to meet the IMO's 2040 reduction target for GHG emissions.
This ongoing interest in CCS, coupled with advancements in the technology, ensures that progress in shipping retrofits and newbuilds continues, even amidst regulatory uncertainties.
What is the current outlook for green fuel adoption and CCS interests in these uncertain times for the maritime industry?
Shipowners must adopt a robust, long-term strategy to ensure their vessels are future-proofed for the next 30 years, aligning with the industry's target to achieve net zero emissions by 2050.
Fuel flexibility is becoming increasingly crucial for operators, particularly in an ever-evolving regulatory landscape. Most ships today can operate for twenty years or more, making it vital for them to adapt to new requirements over time.
Image: anchored LNG (Liquified Natural Gas) tanker. Credit: Shutterstock.
