Fincantieri, Eni and RINA: New study dives into maritime’s future fuel mix

April 3, 2025, by Naida Hakirevic Prevljak

Italy’s energy company Eni, compatriot shipbuilder Fincantieri, and classification society RINA have unveiled a new study that aims to contribute to accelerating the decarbonization of the maritime transport sector, in line with the net zero target for 2050.

The study, titled “Sustainable Maritime Transport Outlook” is said to provide the ‘first’ comprehensive global overview of the options, impacts and investments needed to enable a more sustainable maritime industry.

Focused on the maritime sector, the report was developed with the technical support of Bain & Company Italy.

As explained, it forms part of the broader framework of the agreement signed on March 25, 2024, by Eni, Fincantieri, and RINA, with the shared goal of establishing a global observatory to monitor and assess the medium- to long-term evolution of sustainable decarbonization solutions for the sector.

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The maritime industry is responsible for approximately 3% of global CO₂ emissions and is committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. To reach this goal, a clear and realistic roadmap is essential — one that minimizes uncertainty and risk for investors while offering practical, economically viable solutions for the entire industry.

Addressing this need through a holistic approach, the study provides, for the first time, a global overview of viable decarbonization options tailored to different vessel segments and regions worldwide. It also integrates volume assessments with a comprehensive analysis of cost implications for shipowners and the investment requirements across the logistics and port infrastructure chain.

In the short term, the energy carriers most capable of reducing CO₂ emissions include:

Liquefied natural gas (LNG) – a fossil fuel with lower carbon intensity, though it requires significant infrastructure investments for storage, handling, and bunkering at ports;
Biofuels – including heavy fuel oil (HVO), which can be used in its pure form without the need for infrastructure upgrades, and fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) which faces significant limitations when used in pure form.

According to the study, over the long term, biofuels—including the emergence of bio-LNG and biomethanol—are expected to remain the primary solution for the merchant shipping sector. Synthetic fuels derived from green hydrogen, along with hydrogen itself, are also likely to gain traction in specific applications — such as low- and medium-power cruise ships — as their competitiveness improves and supply chains continue to develop.

“A year ago, together with Fincantieri and RINA, we committed to developing a global observatory focused on the evolving landscape of sustainable decarbonization solutions for the maritime sector. This study — the result of combined expertise, resources, and technologies from key industry players — has produced a clear and actionable framework that can guide the development and implementation of impactful initiatives to decarbonize maritime transport across various segments, while considering the full supply chain,” Giuseppe Ricci, Chief Operating Officer for Industrial Transformation at Eni, commented.

“As also recognized at the EU level, there is growing consensus that biofuels — particularly those already available and usable in their pure form, like HVO — are among the most effective solutions currently available to reduce GHG emissions in the maritime sector.”

“Decarbonizing maritime transport is a challenge that demands industrial vision and the ability to turn innovation into real-world solutions. The Sustainable Maritime Transport Outlook presented … marks a strategic step in that direction — an integrated analysis grounded in real data and scenarios, developed with the support of leading players across the sector,” Pierroberto Folgiero, Chief Executive Officer and General Manager of Fincantieri, stated.

“This is also the foundation for our commitment to establish a global observatory, reinforcing our role in driving the transition toward lower environmental impact, while creating value and ensuring competitiveness throughout the entire ship lifecycle. With our Net Zero Ship goal set for 2035, Fincantieri is looking ahead — leading the change and integrating technology and sustainability to stay competitive in the long term.”

“Knowledge transfer is a key enabler in accelerating the energy transition. Our ability to bring together expertise and experience from different sectors — particularly energy and maritime, where we have a long-standing presence — allows us to develop effective decarbonization solutions. Partnerships like this one with Eni and Fincantieri are essential for turning innovation into practical applications, creating value for all players across the shipping and transport value chain,” Carlo Luzzatto, Chief Executive Officer and General Manager of RINA, emphasized.

“Industry stakeholders and investors need a clear vision to guide technological choices and investment strategies. With this first edition of the Observatory, we’ve delivered a valuable tool to help interpret the evolution of the fuel mix in both the short and long term. Starting around 2040, new solutions will gradually be adopted on specific routes and use cases, complementing biofuels and LNG — although the latter will need to come from bio-based sources,” Pierluigi Serlenga, Managing Partner Italy at Bain & Company, highlighted.

“It’s therefore critical to develop a roadmap for upgrading Italy’s port infrastructure to ensure it remains competitive and central to future low-emission maritime routes. We estimate that by 2050, around €24 billion in investments will be needed across the European port system — a significant share of which represents a real business opportunity for the Italian maritime value chain.”