COP29: global shipping leaders join call to accelerate the adoption of zero-emission fuels

Click to learn more about the RMI-led Call to Action, signed by more than 50 leaders in the global shipping industry.

More than 50 leaders across the shipping value chain joined a Call to Action to accelerate the adoption of zero-emission fuels. Led by RMI, the UN Climate Change High-Level Champions, and the UCL Energy Institute, the joint statement calls for faster and bolder action, including investments in zero-emissions vessels and global development of critical infrastructure. Signatories recommend a series of actions, including clear, ambitious mid-term measures; a balanced approach to revenue distribution; and evidence that key milestones for practical use of new fuels are advancing. Full details of the Call to Action can be found here.

Nearly a decade after the adoption of the Paris Agreement, the time is now for governments and industry to line up behind an ambitious, IMO-mandated trajectory and mechanisms to drive shipping emissions reductions. Next year’s IMO meetings will consider what is likely the single most important policy decision for driving a new international market for zero-emissions fuels, in turn delivering a massive lift to the emerging green hydrogen market and the important projects required to supply it.

Alex Hewitt, Cofounder and Executive Board Director of CWP Global in the UNFCCC’s official press release, 14 Nov 2026

Fortescue: partnerships with Höegh, COSCO

Amongst the signatories of the Call to Action was Fortescue. Speaking at COP29, Fortescue Executive Chairman Andrew Forrest highlighted the success of the ammonia-powered Green Pioneer vessel earlier this year, demonstrating that decarbonisation solutions for shipping exist, and that ammonia fuel can be used safely. Also at COP, Fortescue and Höegh Autoliners partnered to call on regulators to fast-track the adoption of marine ammonia fuel – the “the only marine fuel that can hasten the decarbonization of the industry”. The pair will work together on a global supply chain for bunkering, with ammonia fuel from Fortescue’s production projects to power Höegh’s new fleet of ammonia-powered, Aurora Class car and truck carriers (two of these vessels are currently in operation on conventional fuels).

In July of this year, Fortescue and China-based COSCO Shipping signed an MoU to collaborate on green shipping. The partnership includes the potential for Fortescue to use ammonia-powered, COSCO-owned vessels to ship iron ore and other mineral products along the future China-Australia iron ore green shipping corridor. COSCO recently received AiP from several classification societies for a 50,000 m³ ammonia dual-fuel carrier.