Energy major Shell and liner giant Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) have teamed up in a bid to accelerate decarbonisation of the industry.

The pair signed a long-term memorandum of understanding and said they plan to develop a range of safe, sustainable and competitive technologies that can reduce emissions from existing assets and help to enable a net-zero future for shipping.

The technical and commercial teams will collaborate to develop and deploy net-zero solutions such as zero-emission fuels and the technologies that will enable them, including fuel cells.

Zero-carbon vessel

The pair said the ambition is to contribute towards a zero-carbon flexi-fuel concept vessel.

They will also work together on energy efficiency technologies, including digital services and platforms.

The partners said they continue to envisage a range of fuel solutions on the route to a net-zero future and are exploring the use of hydrogen-derived fuels and the use of methanol.

They are also looking at benefits of moving from fossil LNG to bio- and synthetic-LNG.

The two companies said they will explore opportunities for MSC to use LNG in its fleet, as it is the lowest-emissions fuel widely available today.

They will also consider future pathways, including methane-slip abatement technologies, that will further bring down LNG’s emissions.

Early birds

In joint statements the companies, who have worked together over the past 10 years on bunkering biofuels and trialling very-low and ultra-low sulphur fuels, said their tie-up will help them play enhanced roles in the energy transformation of shipping, as developers and early adopters of innovative technologies and fuel solutions.

They said the partnership also offers an opportunity for Shell and MSC to work together to engage the industry and its stakeholders on strategic policy issues, enabling constructive dialogue to accelerate decarbonisation in the sector.

MSC Group executive vice president of maritime policy and government affairs Bud Darr said: “To reach that ultimate goal of complete decarbonisation, we must look at a set of solutions. We need significant advances in research and development and fuel development.”

Praising partnerships

Darr said: “MSC’s efforts to decarbonise include strong partnerships with a range of companies across the industry.”

He said these are designed to facilitate cross-sector information sharing and prove how collaboration is key in defining the best pathway to a net-zero future.

"This partnership with Shell is a great example of the type of commitment that is needed to catalyse low-carbon solutions for the shipping sector," Darr added.

Shell marine president Melissa Williams said: “Shell wants to play a central role in the transition to net zero. Partnering with our customers to develop new technologies and fuels will help accelerate progress.

"Combining MSC’s experience as one of the world’s largest shipping companies with Shell’s expertise as a global energy supplier will help bring about effective solutions for this vital part of the world economy," she said.