We are at a defining moment for shipping – let's shape it together

"If there is one thing this industry has taught me – from my early years at sea to where I sit today – it is that progress rarely unfolds in a calm and steady manner. It moves in waves – sometimes gradual, sometimes all at once – but always moving forward."- Sameer Kalra

Right now, we are experiencing one of those accelerated periods. The emergence of new fuels like green methanol and green ammonia, digital solutions, complex geopolitics, evolving regulations, and growing societal expectations are reshaping the maritime landscape. The recent MEPC 83 meeting highlights how regulatory momentum is building. Agreements were made to impose stricter penalties for GHG emissions from ships, expand Emission Control Areas (ECA) to curb harmful gases, and strengthen the focus on energy efficiency technologies to reduce fuel consumption. These measures signal the direction of future regulations and emphasize the need for shipowners to take steps today to be compliant and competitive in an evolving regulatory scene.

It is a timely reminder that sustainability is not a distant horizon, but it is necessary right now to reimagine and rebuild the future of shipping. Standing still is not an option.

That is why the theme of this year’s Nor-Shipping – “Future proof” – resonates so strongly. It is more than a headline; it is a call to action – and a reminder that preparing as best you can for the future does not mean knowing all the answers. It means staying open, adaptable and ready to evolve.

At Alfa Laval, this holistic mindset is deeply embedded in our how we serve our customers. It may be an overused phrase, but it truly is part of our DNA.Tomorrow's ideal energy carrier? Let’s stay open

A question I am often asked is: what’s going to be the fuel of the future? Our view is that the medium-term future will be a multi-fuel one where green methanol, green ammonia, LPG, LNG, hydrogen and biofuels will all have a role to play. LNG is currently back in the frame to bridge the gap until other alternative fuels are available at sufficient scale. This is exactly why Alfa Laval has chosen not to commit to a single path. Instead, we have built our marine portfolio to be fuel-agnostic, so our customers don’t have to make all-or-nothing bets. At the end of the day, to us future-proofing means flexibility, enabling shipowners to adapt not only today, but five, 10, even 20 years from now.

Efficiency is the first step toward sustainability

The greenest fuel is the one you don’t use, and this cuts to the heart of decarbonizing shipping: before we switch fuels, we have to optimize energy usage. Class society DNV estimates that operational efficiency improvements alone can cut vessel emissions by up to 16%. That’s not theoretical – that’s achievable today.

Energy efficiency has always been central to Alfa Laval's mission but we have taken it to a new level. The impact is real. Through advanced waste heat recovery, high-performance separators or intelligent control systems that adjust in real time – and innovative solutions such as our OceanGlide air lubrication solution and ultrasonic anti-fouling technology from NRG Marine – we are helping our customers reduce emissions, save fuel and comply with environmental regulations.

Taking bold steps into new territory

Alfa Laval's origins lie in physical systems – fluid handling, separation, heat transfer. But times have changed and so have we. Our acquisition of StormGeo was a pivotal moment, marking our entrance and commitment in the digital space. Today, StormGeo’s solutions enable route optimization, performance management and real-time decision making to reduce environmental impact and operational costs. Beyond that, digitalization – including cloud-based systems, automation and AI – allows us to connect disparate onboard systems, and provide insight, transparency and control. If zero-emission shipping is the goal, digitalization is an important tool to get us there.

Oceanbird, our joint venture with Wallenius for wind-assisted propulsion, is another example where were preparing for the future in new ways. For the first time in our history, we have even hired an aerodynamics engineer! The first installation of a wing sail foundation was completed on a vessel in 2024, with full wing sail deployment expected during in 2025.

Listening, then co-creating

Our greatest innovations have not emerged in isolation. They have come from listening to customers, asking the right questions and understanding their challenges and goals.

We are collaborating with engine makers like WinGD and MAN Energy Solutions to ready our systems for methanol-powered and ammonia-powered ships. We are working with shipowners and shipyards worldwide to develop practical, scalable solutions for alternative fuels and emissions control. And we invite our partners into our Test & Training Centre in Aalborg, Denmark, where we test ideas, equipment, applications and process lines on the scale of an oceangoing ship. Partnerships are vital, which is why we have joined initiatives like the Methanol Institute and Maersk Mc-Kinney Møller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping. The faster we learn together, the faster we move forward.

Sustainability starts at home

Alfa Laval has committed to becoming carbon neutral by 2027 across our operations. That includes eliminating Scope 1 and 2 emissions and cutting Scope 3 by 50%. It’s ambitious – but essential. Decarbonizing shipping starts with setting internal standards. We are not perfect, but we are taking real steps every day to reduce our impact.

The road ahead

People often ask where is this all going. My answer? While the final destination may be hazy, we are definitely heading in the right direction. The best ideas rarely come with a blueprint. They come through collaboration, courage and commitment.

And we are seeing that spirit more and more across the industry – from cargo owners demanding carbon-neutral logistics to shipowners piloting bold solutions. At Alfa Laval, we are not just preparing for that future. We are actively helping shape it with our customer-centric approach, commitment to innovation and steady focus on what matters most.