ZESTAs HyWindships event proves absolute zero emissions attainable now

Mid-September marked a historic moment for the ocean economy, as top maritime leaders gathered at the ZESTAs (Zero Emission Ship Technology Association) ShipZERO30 – HyWindships event at IMO headquarters in London to present the latest science-based evidence proving that the industry has the technology today to accelerate shipping to absolute zero-emissions. 

At London International Shipping Week’s (LISW25) ShipZERO30 Workshop, the IMO was the stage for innovators and disruptors to showcase the cutting-edge solutions that deliver a healthy ocean and a profitable future. IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez, opened the workshop by reminding delegates of the IMO’s responsibility “to reduce emissions and achieve our goals in order to protect the planet for future generations,” calling on industry innovators “to continue to be the early movers” in shaping decision-making at the IMO, and underling that “this transition can only succeed if it is safe.”

The workshop presented successful real-life vessels, primary wind-powered commercial ocean-going cargo ships, hybrid battery-hydrogen fuel cell propulsion and mobile green hydrogen generation at sea, each built on decades of proven technology. The message was clear: the transformation of maritime transport is not only feasible, it is here, and the business case is real.

Kishan Muthu,    Head of SeaLabs at global shipowner Union Maritime, kicked off proceedings by sharing the formidable emissions reductions and fuel cost savings with BAR Technologies guaranteeing minimum 1.5 tonnes fuel reduction per day per WindWing and Norsepower Rotor Sails measuring 5-25% fuel savings - all on retrofits of ocean-going tankers and dry bulkers.

When the power of the wind is maximised through design of a new build, the results are staggering: 80-90% fuel reductions seen on the Neoline Origin, currently under sea trials in Türkiye and due to enter RoRo service in the Atlantic by the end of the year. On top of savings, shipowners benefit greatly from the EU ETS and coming IMO Net Zero Framework.

The message from the panellists was clear: “Wind works and is here to stay”.

The effectiveness, maturity and commercialisation of wind propulsion makes the case for a HyWindship, a vessel combining hydrogen and wind for propulsion to achieve absolute zero emissions, is evident: with such dramatic fuel reductions, the quantity of expensive green hydrogen and the supply chain issues are manageable. Danielle Southcott of Veer Voyage made clear their Design No.1, which integrates large-scale wind propulsion with hydrogen fuel cells and batteries, can provide Absolute Zero emissions transport across diverse cargo types and is only one charterer signature away from the shipyard.

Kim Nguyen, Project Manager at LH2 Shipping, removed any remaining doubt concerning hydrogen’s potential as a reliable absolute zero emissions fuel. Their Hydra RoPax vessel in Norway has been operating since 2023 with 98% uptime - the best performance in Norled’s entire fleet of nearly 80 electric and diesel-powered vessels. Bunkering is completed every 2 weeks and fills the 4-tonne tank in just 1 hour. Zero boil-off gas is achieved during sailing, and just 0.5% observed in bunkering, meaning costs are minimised. She finished by making clear that “scale up is not more complicated”, as proven by their two zero-emissions wind-assisted container ships for Samskip, under construction and entering service between Oslo and Rotterdam from Q4 2026.

Hydrogen heavyweights Chart Industries, Air Liquide and Kawasaki Heavy Industries, detailed how supply chain challenges have been met and overcome for years, while Norwegian green hydrogen producer Gen2 Energy’s EVP of Project Development, Lars Nesje Grimsmo, made clear that through unlocking coastal transport of renewable hydrogen delivered straight into ports, “shipping will be first in line for hydrogen”.         

These breakthroughs show how collaboration across shipowners, insurers, supply chains, and policymakers can unlock fresh opportunities for financing and technology adoption.

As Madadh MacLaine, Secretary General of ZESTAs, put it, “As we push down the curve, accelerating the trajectory toward steep emissions reductions, supported by IMO regulations, ZESTAs is keeping that cutting edge sharp, creating a pathway that the entire maritime industry can follow.”

Debates throughout the day brought capital markets, technology, and operations together, shaping a common language for an emerging ecosystem — a pathway to a new ocean asset class where profitability and ocean stewardship go hand in hand.

The IMO’s curve to net zero may be steep but ShipZERO30 proved that the ingenuity needed to meet it already exists — and is gathering momentum.