Explore every episode of the podcast The Current | A podcast about the forces shaping maritime decarbonization

With FuelEU Maritime closing out its second year and the EU ETS for shipping its third, we now have real experience of how regulation can drive investment in maritime decarbonization -- and a clearer view of where it falls short. As IMO meetings are coming up at the end of November, now is a good time to understand how regulation becomes a business case for low-GHG fuels and technologies.

In our previous episode, we heard the legal and consulting perspectives. In this episode, host and Climate Policy Manager at the Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping, Joe Bettles is sitting down to discuss maritime regulation and investment with two guests very close to the matter:

— Lina Barsøe, Head of Decarbonization Pathways at DFDS, one of Northern Europe’s largest ferry and logistics operators.

— Nina Porst, Executive Director for Sustainable Ships and Skills at Danish Shipping, which represents Danish shipping companies across all segments. 

In this episode we dive into:

— The state of decarbonization and electrification

— How regulations are affecting investment decision-making

— Variations in regional and global frameworks

— What incentives make a difference in business cases and how upcoming IMO meetings can address them

References

— The Center's FuelEU Knowledge Hub

— Center publication on incentivizing low-carbon pathways— DFDS - Decarbonisation at sea — Danish Shipping

— European Commission proposal for the EU ETS revision

For more information, please visit our website at ⁠⁠zerocarbonshipping.com⁠⁠ and our ⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠ for the latest updates.

Disclaimer

This podcast has been prepared by Fonden Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping (“MMMCZCS”) for informational purposes only. The views expressed in this podcast are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views of MMMCZCS.

The content herein may be based on studies, research, and analyses conducted by MMMCZCS, as well as publicly available information as of the date of publication. While MMMCZCS has made reasonable efforts to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information presented, MMMCZCS does not guarantee or warrant, either expressly or impliedly, the completeness, accuracy, or suitability of this information for any specific purpose. This podcast is not intended to serve as technical, regulatory, legal or other advice. Listeners are encouraged to consult with their advisors before making any decisions or taking actions based on the information contained herein. Compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and standards, including but not limited to those related to safety, environmental protection, design requirements, and competition law, remains the sole responsibility of the listener.

MMMCZCS disclaims all liability, whether in contract, tort (including negligence), or otherwise, for any damages, losses, errors, or injuries, whether direct, indirect, incidental, or consequential, arising from the use of, or reliance on, the information contained in this podcast.

In this episode, host Joe Bettles, Climate Policy Manager at the Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping, is joined by two guests who have been deeply involved in FuelEU compliance:

— Thomas Edelgaard Christensen, Managing Counsel at Gorrissen Federspiel, on the legal side of FuelEU and maritime contracting

— Laurids Møhl Schack, Principal at Boston Consulting Group, on the commercial and strategic dimensions of shipping decarbonization

In this episode we dive into:

— What actually happened in year one

— including why 90% of ships opted for pooling

— The fuel mix and how this is shaping compliance pricing

— What IMO Member States can learn from the FuelEU as they shape the Net-Zero Framework

References

— For more on FuelEU, you can visit our FuelEU Knowledge Hub: https://www.zerocarbonshipping.com/fueleu

— BetterSea FuelEU Market Index: https://bettersea.tech

— Ocean Score Index: https://oceanscore.com/

— European Commission FuelEU implementation data: https://ec.europa.eu/transparency/expert-groups-register/screen/meetings?lang=en and will also be covered in a future edition of Countdown.

— Countdown explainer on FuelEU pooling: https://www.zerocarbonshipping.com/news/fueleu-explainer-practicalities-of-pooling

— Gorrissen Federspiel on legal aspects of the IMO NZF: https://gorrissenfederspiel.com/en/fuelimo-the-imo-approves-a-historic-net-zero-framework/

For more information, please visit our website at ⁠zerocarbonshipping.com⁠ and our ⁠LinkedIn⁠ for the latest updates.

Disclaimer

This podcast has been prepared by Fonden Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping (“MMMCZCS”) for informational purposes only. The views expressed in this podcast are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views of MMMCZCS.

The content herein may be based on studies, research, and analyses conducted by MMMCZCS, as well as publicly available information as of the date of publication. While MMMCZCS has made reasonable efforts to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information presented, MMMCZCS does not guarantee or warrant, either expressly or impliedly, the completeness, accuracy, or suitability of this information for any specific purpose. This podcast is not intended to serve as technical, regulatory, legal or other advice. Listeners are encouraged to consult with their advisors before making any decisions or taking actions based on the information contained herein. Compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and standards, including but not limited to those related to safety, environmental protection, design requirements, and competition law, remains the sole responsibility of the listener.

MMMCZCS disclaims all liability, whether in contract, tort (including negligence), or otherwise, for any damages, losses, errors, or injuries, whether direct, indirect, incidental, or consequential, arising from the use of, or reliance on, the information contained in this podcast.

In this very first episode, we are diving into fuel certification and look inside a brand-new system being developed under the International Maritime Organization’s work on Greenhouse Gas emissions.

Our guest speaker is Francielle Carvalho, Regulatory Affairs Manager at Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping. Our host is Joe Bettles, Climate Policy Manager at Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping.

References

-        ISCC Report to the European Commission 2024: ⁠https://www.iscc-system.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/ISCC_Report_To-European_Commission_Calendar_Year_2024.pdf⁠

-        https://www.ceicdata.com/en/indicator/denmark/oil-consumption⁠ Denmark consumed 157.093 Barrel/Day in 2024, or 57 million barrels per year, which is roughly 7.8 million tonnes.

-        ISCC Report ⁠https://www.iscc-system.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/ISCC_Report_To-European_Commission_Calendar_Year_2024.pdf⁠

-        https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=oj%3AJOC_2010_160_R_0001_01⁠

For more information, please visit our website at ⁠zerocarbonshipping.com⁠ and our ⁠LinkedIn⁠ for the latest updates.

The Current by the Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping aims to shed light on how to advance the global maritime transition. Through engaging conversations with subject matter experts, industry players, sustainability advocates, and policymakers, we provide a deep dive into thechallenges and opportunities across the entire value chain, the latest technologies and policies, and practical steps towards reducing the sector’s environmental impact.

Disclaimer

This podcast has been prepared by Fonden Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping (“MMMCZCS”) for informational purposes only. The views expressed in this podcast are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views of MMMCZCS. 

The content herein may be based on studies, research, and analyses conducted by MMMCZCS, as well as publicly available information as of the date of publication. While MMMCZCS has made reasonable efforts to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information presented, MMMCZCS does not guarantee or warrant, either expressly or impliedly, the completeness, accuracy, or suitability of this information for any specific purpose. This podcast is not intended to serve as technical, regulatory, legal or other advice. Listeners are encouraged to consult with their advisors before making any decisions or taking actions based on the information contained herein. Compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and standards, including but not limited to those related to safety, environmental protection, design requirements, and competition law, remains the sole responsibility of the listener.

MMMCZCS disclaims all liability, whether in contract, tort (including negligence), or otherwise, for any damages, losses, errors, or injuries, whether direct, indirect, incidental, or consequential, arising from the use of, or reliance on, the information contained in this podcast.