The Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation (GCMD) and CIMAC have signed a two-year coalition partnership agreement to strengthen the maritime industry’s readiness for alternative fuel deployment.

Under the agreement, insights generated from GCMD’s pilots and trials across the maritime value chain will feed into CIMAC’s technical working groups, helping inform the development of new standards and guidance on engine performance, fuel quality considerations and deployment readiness.

CIMAC, a global non-profit organisation promoting the development of ship propulsion, train drive and power generation, provides a forum for technical exchange. GCMD brings implementation experience from executing pilots and trials across the maritime value chain to identify the practical implications of deploying decarbonisation solutions.

The agreement comes as the sector prepares for the introduction of new fuel types, including ammonia, with ocean-going vessels expected to begin operating on such fuels later this year. As alternative fuel production scales, the industry will need updated hardware requirements, testing regimes, fuel quality frameworks and handling procedures.

GCMD will also draw on CIMAC’s technical expertise to ensure its trials remain aligned with evolving engine technologies and industry practices.

By combining their networks, the two organisations aim to engage stakeholders across the maritime value chain and work with regulators to address technical and operational challenges linked to the energy transition.

Professor Lynn Loo, CEO of GCMD, said: "Following my keynote at the CIMAC 2025 Congress, discussions with CIMAC's leadership quickly revealed strong alignment and complementary strengths. As alternative fuels introduce new chemistries and properties, solutions designed for today's fuels will not automatically apply tomorrow. This partnership reflects our joint commitment to addressing these challenges through collaboration that is grounded in technical expertise and operational evidence."

Rick Boom, president of CIMAC, commented: "CIMAC collaborates closely with international partners to drive solutions for maritime transformation, contribute technical expertise to regulatory processes, and accelerate the decarbonisation of shipping. Its partnership with GCMD supports the development of standards and strategies for alternative fuels and sustainable propulsion systems aligned with global environmental goals. Together, CIMAC and GCMD aim to deliver practical, forward-looking solutions that speed the transition to a cleaner, more sustainable future for shipping."