80 Green hydrogen and e-fuels projects across Europe that could be used in the maritime sector
Spain, Denmark, Norway and France are leading when it comes to producing green e-fuels that can be used for shipping, a new T&E analysis shows. But a lack of regulatory certainty is preventing most projects from moving beyond the planning stage. The EU should introduce more ambitious green fuel requirements for the shipping sector to ensure projects get off the ground, says T&E, which would deliver jobs and improve Europe’s energy security.
The 2025 update of T&E’s shipping e-fuels observatory found up to 80 green hydrogen and e-fuels projects that could be used to power ships, representing more than 3.6 million tonnes of oil equivalent (Mtoe) by 2032. But T&E found that just 5% of those volumes are clearly dedicated to the maritime sector, while only a small proportion of projects have reached a final investment decision (FID) stage or become operational, suggesting a lack of regulatory certainty is preventing projects from moving forward.
Some countries are positioning themselves as potential marine e-fuel suppliers. Norway has the largest quantities of fuels dedicated primarily to the maritime sector followed by Spain, Finland and Denmark. The Kassø project by European Energy which supplies e-methanol to Maersk went on line in 2025 and is the first marine e-fuel project and biggest of its kind in Europe.
Among the e-ammonia and e-methanol projects which include the maritime or transport sectors as potential buyers, the maritime sector generally constitutes the largest potential offtaker, the research finds. When it comes to e-ammonia, for example, shipping was mentioned as a potential client for double the project volumes as the fertiliser and chemical industries. Strong demand signals from the shipping sector would provide a much needed guarantee to producers that there is a solid market for their green fuels.
Constance Dijkstra, maritime policy manager at T&E, said: “The biggest maritime e-fuels project went on line this year. This shows what is possible, but scaling up projects remains a challenge. Current shipping targets just aren’t ambitious enough to get investors to put money on the table. As well as demand incentives, fuel producers need hard cash. Fostering a strong e-fuels sector can bolster Europe’s industrial leadership and reduce the continent’s dependence on imported fossil fuels.”
Clean tech producers today called on the EU to boost support for green shipping fuels in Europe. Among other measures, they called for the reinvestment of ETS revenues into green shipping.
