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Europe’s e-fuels development for shipping remains in a fragile state of development. The 2025 update of T&E’s shipping e-fuels observatory looked at 80 green hydrogen and e-fuels projects representing a total of up to 3.06 million tonnes of oil equivalent by 2032. But of the projects that have been earmarked for shipping, just a small number have reached final investment decision (FID) stage or become operational.
T&E explains what needs to change. Check out the full observatory here.
Summary
In its 2025 update of the shipping e-fuels observatory, T&E examined 80 European green hydrogen and e-fuels projects that could serve the maritime sector. While some have progressed in their development, total shipping e-fuels production appears unlikely to reach targeted levels, unless new policy incentives are implemented. Although the listed projects could produce 3.6 million tonnes of oil equivalent (Mtoe) by 2032, less than 5% is dedicated primarily to shipping. This sends a weak signal to the maritime sector considering that those volumes are below FuelEU’s 2031 1% e-fuel uptake threshold and well below the 2034 sub-target of 2%. In the absence of clear EU and national policies combined with dedicated financial incentives, Europe’s shipping e-fuels targets are likely to be met with imported fuels (or not met at all) representing a missed opportunity for Europe’s climate leadership as well as to further its industrial and energy security goals.
However, while the maritime sector’s transition towards e-fuels is slow, it is not backsliding: Denmark’s Kassø e-methanol project became operational in 2025 and produces 0.02 Mtoe of e-methanol, part of which already goes to shipping. Countries such as Spain and France have potential volumes up 1.1 Mtoe/year that could potentially serve maritime, while Norway has the highest potential volumes targeting the maritime sector at 0.13 Mtoe annually, primarily in the form of e-ammonia.
Download full briefing: T&E Observatory 2025 Briefing
Update from T&E.
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