Navigating Zero - Global Trade’s Powerful Wave of Change

When the International Maritime Organization (IMO) postponed adoption of its long-awaited Net Zero Framework this October, the decision shook up power dynamics and strategies across the industry. In this episode, we unpack what happened inside and outside the negotiation room, and what it means for shipping’s path to zero emissions. 

Beyond regulatory frameworks, this conversation highlights the pivotal role of the bunker sector in making low-carbon fuels viable and accelerating the shipping industry's energy transition.

Joining Lora in conversation is Maria Skipper Schwenn, Director of Public Affairs at Bunker Holding. Maria has a breadth of experience on both sides of the table: in political and commercial associations, in Brussels, for Danish Shipping, and at Bunker Holding, the world’s largest bunker supplier. 

In today’s episode, she will share her experience from inside the Marine Environment Protection Committee meeting and the geopolitical pressures that upended the vote. She explains how procedural tactics reshaped the approval process, and why the industry will now have to rely on a patchwork of regional measures to accelerate the decarbonisation of shipping. 

Beyond the IMO, we also discuss how the bunker sector plays a critical role in providing low-carbon fuels, investments, and innovation to drive the energy transition.

The marine market is still new for many alternative fuel producers, so suppliers like Bunker Holding are playing a critical part to build new partnerships and deliver biofuels safely and reliably to ports worldwide. 

Maria will unpack this work, and share her vision for what progress looks like in the industry now: driving new technical collaboration, supporting first movers investing in green fuels, and cultivating a generational shift in leadership to push for greater transparency and impact. Because no matter the voting outcome, today and tomorrow, the work continues.


About Maria Skipper Schwenn: LinkedIn
About Bunker Holding: Website
About the SASHA Coalition: Website
About ZeroNorth: Website
About Lora Jakobsen: LinkedIn
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What is Navigating Zero - Global Trade’s Powerful Wave of Change?

There’s no denying we are facing a climate crisis, and all industries must do their part to reach zero emissions. Maritime trade is critical to today’s society but is also responsible for roughly 3% of all greenhouse gas emissions. A future where global trade reaches zero carbon emissions is possible, but how do we actually get there?

Navigating Zero - Global Trade’s Powerful Wave of Change is a podcast from ZeroNorth that explores exactly that.

In each episode, Lora Jakobsen, Chief Sustainability Officer at Zero North, speaks with global thought leaders inside and outside the shipping industry to build a greener future together. They’ll unpack everything from the economics of decarbonisation in maritime shipping and global trade, to green energy innovations, from sustainable shipping logistics to digitalisation, data sharing and regulation in the industry.

Previous guests include leaders building the conversation around a greener future, such as Danny Lang (ex-Vice President of Business Intelligence at Google), Robert Mærsk Uggla (Chairman of the board directors of Maersk, CEO of A.P. Møller Holding) and Rasmus Nordqvist of the EU Parliament.

After two successful seasons, Navigating Zero will be returning for Season 3, to spotlight the industry’s most innovative trailblazers – the architects of change who are rebuilding the maritime trade ecosystem from the inside out. Featuring voices like Alexander Saverys, CEO of CMB.Tech, Johannah Christensen from GMF, and Julian Bray, former Editor-in-Chief of TradeWinds, as we explore what transformation really looks like in practice.

About Lora Jakobsen:
Lora Jakobsen is ZeroNorth’s Chief Sustainability Officer and one of the organisation’s founding members. She specialises in technology, growth and sustainability strategy, and is on a mission to accelerate the maritime shift towards sustainability in global trade. Lora brings clarity and challenge to every conversation, grounding the show in a commitment to finding new and better ways.

About ZeroNorth:
ZeroNorth is a technology leader committed to accelerating the energy transition in global shipping. Founded in 2020, we have grown from being a team of six to 600 employees across 10 global locations. We are at the forefront of the decarbonisation movement, leveraging technology and data as enablers to drive immediate reductions in emissions — critical steps towards achieving long-term sustainability goals in the maritime industry.

Learn more at: https://zeronorth.com/