<p class="MsoNormal">A significant cooling in the maritime sector’s push for

green energy has been revealed in a new industry survey, as cargo owners

increasingly pull back on their willingness to pay for expensive low-carbon

fuels.<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">The annual <b>Shipping Decarbonization Survey</b>, released

by the <b>Boston Consulting Group (BCG)</b> on May 1, 2026, highlights a sharp

decline in the "willingness to pay" (WTP) premium for sustainable

alternatives. The average premium has dropped to just <b>3%</b>, a notable fall

from the <b>4.5%</b> recorded in 2024, effectively resetting industry demand to

2022 levels.<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal"><b>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

</b>The current decline in the "willingness to pay" premium

for green shipping creates a precarious situation for carriers who are caught

between international net-zero mandates and harsh economic realities. As the

premium drops to just 3%, it is evident that cargo owners are prioritizing

bottom-line costs over environmental credentials to combat global inflation,

effectively making it nearly impossible for carriers to subsidize the

transition to expensive low-carbon fuels. This financial gap is further

exacerbated by a "perfect storm" of rising operational costs and

complex geopolitical tensions, leading analysts to warn that without stronger

regulatory incentives or higher price premiums, the massive capital investments

necessary for the next generation of green vessels may be indefinitely delayed.<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal"><b>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </b>While

the maritime sector remains a critical focus for global decarbonization

efforts, the BCG survey underscores a growing disconnect between environmental

goals and commercial viability. For the industry to regain its green momentum,

experts suggest that either the cost of low-carbon fuels must decrease

significantly, or global carbon taxes must be implemented to bridge the pricing

gap between traditional and sustainable energy sources.<o:p></o:p></p>