New Delhi ,Emerging economies are rapidly expanding the network of green shipping corridors, with a sharp increase in initiatives focused on zero-emission fuels, vessels and port infrastructure, according to the Global Maritime Forum’s latest annual progress report.
The report, “At a Crossroads: Annual Progress Report on Green Shipping Corridors 2025”, identifies 25 new green corridor projects launched over the past year, bringing the global total to 84 active initiatives. Notably, this marks the first time that major developing economies – including China, India, Brazil, Chile, Ghana and Kenya – have begun establishing their own corridors, reflecting growing recognition of the commercial opportunities presented by the decarbonisation of maritime trade.
The expansion aligns closely with national maritime and energy strategies in these jurisdictions. India’s Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways has set ambitious 2030 targets for green shipping, China is accelerating port electrification and green fuel production, Brazil is advancing its National Hydrogen Programme, and Chile is implementing its National Green Hydrogen Strategy. Kenya and Ghana have both made formal national commitments to green corridor development.
Among the new initiatives are the India Green Corridors, India-Denmark Green Corridor, Singapore-Kandla-Tuticorin Coastal Green Corridor, and several routes involving Brazilian and Chilean ports.
Jesse Fahnestock, director of decarbonisation at the Global Maritime Forum, said the shift was “hugely promising” as these emerging markets would largely determine whether zero-emission shipping scales quickly enough to meet global climate goals. “We’re seeing recognition from these countries that green corridors are more than just environmental projects – they are strategic economic infrastructure,” he added.
The report is published shortly after the International Maritime Organization’s Marine Environment Protection Committee deferred for a year the adoption of a Net-Zero Framework, a delay attributed to lobbying by the US administration, which had reportedly threatened tariffs on countries supporting the measure.
Despite the IMO setback, momentum at national and regional levels appears undiminished, with emerging economies positioning themselves at the forefront of the next phase of maritime decarbonisation.
