Future fuels outlook remains steady in the face of regulatory uncertainty

Julien Boulland, of Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore, stresses the need for regulatory certainty through energy transition

The development of the alternative fuels landscape within the maritime industry experienced a period of volatility and uncertainty throughout 2025. The introduction of new regulatory provisions, in the form of FuelEU Maritime (FEUM), was designed to accelerate the integration of alternative fuels by directly addressing the carbon intensity of maritime operations. This comprehensive piece of regional regulation joined the established European Union (EU) Emissions Trading System (ETS), the provisions for which continue to evolve, now accounting for 100 per cent of emissions of CO2, N2O (nitrous oxide) and CH4 (methane), an increase from 70 per cent of CO2 emissions in 2025.