The Methane Abatement in Maritime Innovation Initiative (MAMII) hosted its inaugural event in Brussels last week, uniting shipowners, engine designers, technology providers, and EU policymakers to accelerate the reduction of methane emissions from shipping. Led by Safetytech Accelerator, a Lloyd’s Register initiative, MAMII is a coalition of shipping leaders dedicated to minimizing the environmental impact of liquefied natural gas (LNG) in shipping and facilitating the transition to future fuel solutions.
Delegates at the event discussed the rapid advancements in methane measurement and abatement, emphasizing the need for stronger alignment between innovation and regulation. Methane, recognized as 28 times more potent than CO2 on a 100-year scale and the second most significant greenhouse gas emission, presents a critical challenge. Participants underscored that methane abatement offers one of the fastest and most impactful climate solutions available to the shipping industry today.
The event explored developments across the entire emissions chain. Upstream transparency is improving through enhanced monitoring tools, enabling more informed LNG sourcing. However, tank-to-wake emissions, particularly combustion slip, remain the largest challenge. Several engine types have achieved 60–70% reductions in methane slip in recent years, with the emergence of aftertreatment systems potentially scaling reductions up to an additional 80–90%. Technology providers showcased a range of solutions, including catalyst-based aftertreatment, advanced sensor systems, AI-driven emissions analysis, and handheld methane leak detection devices for pipelines.
Stephen Brown, Shell’s Technology Manager, announced that the company’s in-house methane abatement catalyst system will enter shipboard trials in December. This marks the third MAMII-member aftertreatment technology trial. Early results from all member trials have been positive, with commercial readiness expected as soon as 2027.
Industry representatives called for clearer, predictable, and science-based frameworks to provide investment certainty. They highlighted the importance of updated default values reflecting technological progress, reliable measurement methodologies, and incentives for early adopters, alongside support for retrofitting. Alignment between EU and IMO regulations was deemed essential for global consistency and operational clarity.
Panos Mitrou, MAMII chair and Lloyd’s Register Global Gas Segment Director, stated, “Methane abatement is both a climate obligation and a strategic opportunity for technology development. It is a great example for the industry to demonstrate action and compliance. It can offer substantial emissions reductions, generating positive cash flows and balance in carbon cost measures. The Brussels event marked a significant milestone for our initiative, strengthening cooperation between regulators, industry, and innovators. The consensus was clear: momentum is building, solutions are advancing rapidly, and reducing methane emissions is within reach for the maritime sector. We must now focus on expanding these solutions to global fleets, improving the data supporting our decisions, and guiding the industry confidently towards significant methane reduction.”
The Methane Abatement in Maritime Innovation Initiative (MAMII) is an international coalition that brings together shipowners, engine manufacturers, technology innovators, and research institutions to accelerate the development and adoption of solutions that reduce methane emissions across the maritime sector.
Safetytech Accelerator, established by Lloyd’s Register and the Lloyd’s Register Foundation in 2018 and incorporated as an autonomous business in 2021, is a non-profit innovation accelerator dedicated to improving safety and resilience in high-risk industries. Its mission is to help critical industries adopt emerging technologies that can reduce accidents, strengthen regulatory compliance, and improve overall safety performance in sectors such as maritime, energy, construction, and critical infrastructure. The organization has built a global ecosystem of technology companies and has delivered numerous pilots and proof-of-concept projects. Its aim is to accelerate responsible innovation, bring cutting-edge safety technology into real-world use faster, and ultimately make safety-critical industries safer, more efficient, and more resilient.
This event underscores the growing recognition within the maritime industry that methane abatement is not just an environmental imperative but also a strategic opportunity. By fostering collaboration between regulators, industry leaders, and innovators, MAMII is paving the way for significant advancements in reducing methane emissions. The rapid progress in technology and the positive early results from trials indicate that the maritime sector is on the cusp of a transformative shift towards more sustainable operations. As the industry moves forward, the focus will be on expanding these solutions globally, improving data accuracy, and ensuring regulatory alignment to achieve substantial methane reductions.