Global trade depends on shipping, moving 90% of all traded goods across the world. But with the sector responsible for around 3% of greenhouse gas emissions—on par with Japan, the fifth-largest emitting country—pressure is mounting for change. Leading corporations and regulatory bodies are driving a transition towards cleaner energy, creating an unprecedented investment opportunity in sustainable marine fuel solutions.
Major industry players such as Amazon, Nike, and Philips have formed the Zero Emissions Maritime Alliance (ZEMBA) to accelerate zero-emissions shipping. Regulatory initiatives from the EU and the International Maritime Organization (IMO) are also pushing the industry towards decarbonisation. The EU Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS), which took effect in January 2024, imposes a growing financial burden on carbon-heavy ship operators. By 2026, ships entering EU ports must offset 100% of their emissions. The FuelEU Maritime scheme, commencing in 2025, will further tighten emissions limits, requiring compliance or facing significant penalties. The IMO’s Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII) already rates vessels on their carbon performance, influencing freight customers’ choice of operators.
Climate change is already affecting shipping. Drought conditions have reduced the Panama Canal’s capacity by 15 million tonnes, forcing vessels onto longer and costlier routes. Despite this, 98.8% of the global fleet still relies on fossil fuels, necessitating rapid, cost-effective transition fuel solutions. Quadrise’s proprietary MSAR® and bioMSAR™ technologies provide a near-term answer, leveraging existing infrastructure to significantly cut emissions without expensive vessel modifications.
At COP 28, the CEOs of shipping giants MSC, Maersk, CMA-CGM, and Hapag-Lloyd jointly urged the IMO to establish clear regulatory frameworks to accelerate the shift to cleaner energy. Quadrise’s MSAR® fuel offers an immediate impact by reducing CO2 emissions in large marine engines by up to 9%. Meanwhile, bioMSAR™, incorporating renewable glycerine, achieves over 20% carbon savings while also cutting NOx, SOx, and particulate matter emissions.
Quadrise has already demonstrated the viability of bioMSAR™ through successful engine tests with Wärtsilä Services in Switzerland. Now, in partnership with MSC and Cargill, commercial trials are underway on the MSC Leandra. This large-scale test, taking place at the MAC2 facility in Antwerp, Belgium, will consume around 10,000 metric tonnes of bioMSAR™ under rigorous conditions. Upon successful completion, Quadrise aims to roll out bioMSAR™ across the MSC fleet and make it available to other global operators.
Unlike other marine transition fuels, bioMSAR™ offers cost-efficiency and scalability. Quadrise is also developing an advanced bioMSAR™ Zero solution, combining biofuels, bio-residuals, and water-soluble sugars from sustainable sources. Targeting commercial availability by 2030, this breakthrough fuel represents a clear pathway to carbon neutrality in shipping.
Quadrise plc (LON:QED) is an energy technology provider whose solutions enable production of cheaper, cleaner, simpler and safer alternatives to fuel oil and biofuels, proven in real world applications. Quadrise technologies produce transition fuels called MSAR® and bioMSAR™, which allow clients in the shipping, utilities and industrial sectors to reduce carbon emissions whilst also saving costs.
