Norway's Klaveness Combination Carriers (KCC) has set itself the ambitious goal of meeting the IMO's 40% emissions cut target by 2022.
This would beat the 2030 decarbonisation deadline by eight years.
The pledge is further evidence that some shipowners are stepping up their eco-programmes and comes a week after Norwegian owner Simon Mokster Shipping said it would cut CO2 emissions by 70% by 2030.
KCC chief executive Engebret Dahm said: "Shipping companies need to take the climate challenge seriously, and they need to act now.
"Future winners in our industry will be companies offering their customers competitive, low carbon or zero-emissions transport solutions."
The IMO has a 50% reduction target set for 2050.
Costly, but opportunities beckon
KCC admitted the targets are likely to lead to higher costs for shipowners and clients, but it also creates new opportunities for owners able to reposition their business fast, it said.
"KCC believes the necessary transition to a low-carbon shipping industry opens ... new business opportunities. We believe a sustainable operation not only benefits the environment, but also has a positive effects on our bottom line," Dahm added.
The company also wants to have carbon-neutral operations before 2030.
To meet its targets, it said it will further improve energy and operational efficiency, use biofuels and, if necessary, carbon offsetting.
"KCC will in parallel continuously test out and use new technology on board its fleet, and targets to develop and contract its first zero-emission vessel within 2030," it said.
The fleet combines the ability to carry wet and dry cargoes, operating in both the tanker and bulker markets.
This minimises ballast to less than 10% and helps the vessels achieve between 30% and 40% lower CO2 emissions per transported tonne mile — and higher earnings than standard ships.
It explained that a kamsarmax bulker transporting grains from South America to Asia sails empty up to 45% of the time.
Dahm called for more openness and better communications in the industry regarding decarbonisation.
"In KCC, we commit to full disclosure and transparency of our environmental performance and to have an independent third-party audit of our environmental reporting," he added.
"The shipping industry has found new ways before and we are certain that the industry and we in Klaveness will do it again. But we need to act now."
Regarding biofuels, KCC said there is potential for extensive use, but there is a need to substantially increase the supply globally.
KCC also said existing vessels will be retrofitted with new technology.
