What is the “Navigating the Net-Zero Transition” report about?
“Navigating the Net-Zero Transition” is a joint report by the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) and the Lloyd’s Register Maritime Decarbonisation Hub. The report examines innovative approaches to financing maritime shipping's full decarbonisation. By exploring solutions to unlock capital for clean fuels, retrofits, and infrastructure, it aims to stimulate a dialogue that can help ensure the sector stays on track to reach its net-zero climate goals.
What’s inside
The report introduces three concepts to de-risk investment and accelerate the transition:
- Maritime Multiplier – A carbon accounting tool that shows how investing in cleaner ships cuts emissions across supply chains.
- Lending Platform for Energy Efficiency – Pools retrofit projects to lower risk and expand access to affordable capital, especially for smaller shipowners.
- Time Stacked Offtake (TSO) – Reshapes clean fuel contracts into shorter, flexible tranches while ensuring developers’ revenue certainty.
Who is this report for?
- Fuel developers and energy providers – to test innovative fuel procurement strategies, such as the Time Stacked Offtake, to secure demand and accelerate project bankability.
- Policymakers and regulators – to assess mechanisms that complement policy frameworks and catalyse private investment into clean shipping.
- Industry associations, NGOs, and academics – to gain insights into systemic barriers and opportunities for pilot projects, supporting a just and equitable transition.
Next steps and recommendations
The report calls for real-world pilots to validate the three proposed solutions and invites stakeholders to collaborate in advancing them. Key recommendations include:
- Strengthen collaboration among private finance, shipowners, and policymakers to close the maritime investment gap.
- Build capacity and partnerships for demonstration projects, particularly in regions with limited financing access.
- Leverage early pilots as proof points to inform regulatory design, boost investor confidence, and mobilise blended finance at scale.