Challenge

COSCO SHIPPING worked with Lloyd’s Register (LR) Advisory to explore the roadmap of decarbonisation based on the IMO’s zero carbon requirement, and drive the common objective of technical research and innovation in the maritime industry. The aim was to address regulatory compliance, operational efficiency and long-term sustainability, while navigating evolving global and regional decarbonisation expectations. 

Solution

LR Advisory delivered a comprehensive solution that included an Energy Transition Strategy Report, competitor benchmarking and a clear decarbonisation pathway. In addition, LR Advisory developed a techno-economic model to support data-driven decision-making across COSCO SHIPPING’s diverse vessel portfolio.

Approach taken

A tailored delivery model was delivered within a long-term collaborative structure led by COSCO SHIPPING, alongside the Shanghai Ship and Shipping Research Institute (SSSRI) and Shanghai Jiaotong University (SJTU).

A globally distributed LR Advisory team—spanning China, Singapore, Australia, the UK, Germany and the US—brought together the technical depth and international experience required for the project. The approach combined global insight with local implementation knowledge, ensuring that both strategic and practical challenges were addressed.

Key activities & outputs

  • Delivery of an Energy Transition Strategy Report
  • Technical input to COSCO SHIPPING’s decarbonisation model
  • Coordination and management of multi-stakeholder consortium relationships
  • Implementation of a structured project governance and review process
  • Regular client communication to ensure alignment, knowledge transfer and delivery to COSCO SHIPPING’s specifications.

Key customer benefits

  • Strategic clarity for energy transition
  • Risk mitigation through detailed market analysis and structured technology evaluation
  • Improved decision-making capability on fuel strategies and long-term investments
  • Access to diverse technical and academic expertise via a multi-party consortium
  • A replicable governance model for managing complex decarbonisation projects.

Project outcome

LR Advisory successfully delivered all workstreams within the agreed 18-month timeline. The engagement positioned LR Advisory as a trusted advisor to COSCO SHIPPING and led to a second consortium project, reinforcing the long-term 
partnership.

Conclusion

The COSCO SHIPPING energy transition project demonstrated LR Advisory’s capability to lead complex, multinational projects requiring both technical excellence and effective stakeholder coordination. The successful outcome strengthened LR Advisory’s relationship with one of the world’s largest shipping operators and created a platform for ongoing collaboration on energy and 
sustainability priorities.

Impact on customer's business & operations

The engagement enabled COSCO SHIPPING to respond proactively to regulatory change without compromising operational performance. It provided a strategic foundation for implementing decarbonisation across vessel types, while the modelling tools allowed for informed choices on fuel selection, retrofit investments and fleet management.

Other applications

This advisory model can be applied to other sectors such as cruise lines, bulk carriers, offshore fleets and port infrastructure. The framework supports operators in developing realistic, data-backed decarbonisation strategies that improve regulatory readiness and long-term asset viability.