GCMD and Equinor partner to advance alternative fuel- and carbon value chains

The Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation (GCMD) and Equinor have formed a five-year partnership to advance alternative fuel and carbon value chains in the maritime industry. GCMD provides real-world maritime pilots, while Equinor offers its experience as a charterer, energy provider, and developer of low-carbon solutions. Together, they aim to tackle technical and operational hurdles in scaling alternative marine fuels and other decarbonisation solutions.

The partnership focuses on operational safety, robust monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV) of alternative fuels like biofuels, ammonia, and methanol. It also seeks to strengthen confidence in the quantity, quality, and GHG emissions abatement of these fuels. Equinor's expertise in chartering dual-fuel LNG, LPG, and methanol tankers, testing biofuels, and supplying methanol to the maritime sector will complement GCMD's work.

Additionally, GCMD is exploring ways to accelerate the adoption of other maritime decarbonisation solutions, such as energy efficiency technologies and onboard carbon capture and storage (CO₂). Equinor's decades of offshore CO₂ storage experience will be crucial in this regard, having been involved in the development and operation of Northern Lights, the world's first cross-border CO₂ transport and storage facility.

The collaboration seeks to generate operational evidence to close practical barriers and build confidence in solutions that can reduce emissions from the existing fleet, ultimately supporting the transition to lower-emission shipping.