On the Macro level, there are a number of interconnected events that reflect as general move away from a relatively stable, rule-based, multilateral world towards are far more volatile and unstable situation

2026 will see the EU-ETS reaching it’s full deployment and the first payments for Fuel EU Maritime

One major event in our sector of technology will be the passing of 100 ships installed with wind propulsion systems and the rapid approach towards the 200 mark

By : Magdy Sadek 

Maritime Tickers posed just three questions ( 3 What's ? ! ) to an elite persons  in the maritime transport, ports, offshore, and logistics sectors. as a survey on the most important events of 2025 in the sector from his point of view, what events 2026 holds, and what he hopes will happen locally and globally in this vital strategic sector The Fifth Exclusive Interview  with Gavin Allwright Secretary General at International Windship Association ( IWSA )

What are the most important events in the maritime transport sector in 2025, in your opinion?

I would like to break this down a little and touch on the macro and then more focused events and trends that have been developing in the maritime transport sector. On the Macro level, there are a number of interconnected events that reflect as general move away from a relatively stable, rule-based, multilateral world towards are far more volatile and unstable situation where it is increasingly difficult to predict developments in the coming months let alone years ahead. These events include continued conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East and new flashpoints in the Caribbean and elsewhere. This movement away from collaboration and multilateralism was quite starkly on show with the vote to adjourn the IMO MEPC-ES2 proceedings in October. This is a 12 month pause, but runs the risk of being longer or even permanently undermining the 2023 decarbonisation strategy for shipping.

The 2030 and 2040 targets set by the IMO

This has stalled the certainty and de-risking message required for the medium/long term offtake contracts that are required for the effective deployment of alternative low carbon fuels that the industry has been looking to roll out to meet the 2030 and 2040 targets set by the IMO

.Re-evaluate the more immediate low emissions solutions 

I feel that this development does have something of a sliver lining, in that the industry is spending some time to re-evaluate the more immediate low emissions solutions available to it – these include energy efficiency measures, voyage and asset optimisation along with renewed focus on wind propulsion systems. I have noted in hundreds of conversations in Europe and Asia over the past three months that these are seen as the pathways to delivering lower emissions in the short and medium term and the recognition that these also all pay for themselves in a relatively short period.

 The global maritime industry refocusing

What events do you expect or what do you predict will happen? for global maritime shipping in 2026?

Of course we don’t have a crystal ball, but I expect the trends highlighted above to continue, that is instability and continued conflict along with the global maritime industry refocusing on these bottom line solutions. If we can deliver up to 60% of the emission reductions (not just GHG emissions) and these are tied to a the same level of reduction in fuel use, then we can get within striking distance of the 70-80% reductions in emissions specified in the IMO strategy for 2040, before returning to the new fuel solutions.

Fuel EU Maritime

The coming year will likely see more regional and national regulatory measures being developed. 2026 will see the EU-ETS reaching it’s full deployment and the first payments for Fuel EU Maritime compliance will need to be made, so these may well signal a direction of travel if a global compact can’t be reached later in the year.

Potential flashpoints in the approaches

Of course there will be political events and perhaps temporary conflict resolutions that are important, but new ones could erupt at any time with potential flashpoints in the approaches to the Suez Canal and the Panama Canal, the Black Sea, the Baltic, navigation in the Arctic, in the seas around Taiwan or in the South China sea and elsewhere. These will continue to be disruptive to world trade, to the international flow of energy, food and raw materials and of course be a great challenge for our seafarers.

Wind propulsion systems

One major event in our sector of technology will be the passing of 100 ships installed with wind propulsion systems and the rapid approach towards the 200 mark, which we identify as an inflexion point for wind propulsion where the market takes over and we see exponential growth. This will be encouraged by regional regulation and of course a global framework on emissions would push that faster too, however even without these drivers, these milestones will be reached, and hopefully exceeded.      

climate, policy and innovation do not follow the gentle development 

What do you hope will be achieved in the fields of ports, maritime transport, and logistics, both in your country and globally?

I am going to keep this fairly general, as I believe we all have a singular objective that is incredibly important to deliver. All of these sectors must bear in mind that climate, policy and innovation do not follow the gentle development curves that many stakeholders have assumed and based their development models upon.

The 1.5C of global warming,

The climate , ocean and bio-diversity emergencies will not deteriorate gradually, they will reach tipping points and these will either produce rather radical, cliff edge changes or generate self-reinforcing feedback loops, thus quick and deep action is vital, regardless of what others are doing. We will likely breach the 1.5C of global warming, but that doesn’t mean we can refocus on 2C, as every tiny increment of global warming is very impactful, thus 1.51C is the next red line if possible, then 1.52C and so on.   

From a policy perspective,

From a policy perspective, we have witnessed the United States political focus switch on a dime, with an America First approach that certainly seems to be breeding other Nation state First reactions around the world. Taking existing policy paradigms as a given is a mistake and we all need to reassess what can be achieved collectively in our industry in the face of these new political winds.

A lot of optimism

Innovation also doesn’t follow a linear pathway, which leads to a lot of optimism when it comes to scaling solutions we have quickly, just as wind propulsion is entering the ‘S-Curve’ upswing. We also need to treat with caution other aspects of innovation such as AI development and the new fuel energy transition to ensure that these are harnessed for everyone, no sector or region left behind and there is a just and equitable transition for our seafarers and also for LDC and SIDS.  

Related : Exclusive with Gavin Allwright Secretary General of IWSA 

#wind propulsion #Gavin Allwright # Fuel EU Maritime #IMO MEPC-ES2 #bio-diversity emergencies #global maritime industry