• ICS commissioned Lloyd’s Register Advisory to undertake the study.
• OCCS has been gaining traction as a potential pathway for both newbuild and existing ships to achieve compliance with tightening greenhouse gas (GHG) regulations.
• The report was commissioned at a time when international shipping is moving forward on its decarbonisation journey, and currently there are no alternative fuels available at scale.

09 June 2026, London: Today, the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), publishes a report titled ‘Onboard Carbon Capture and Storage Review’. ICS commissioned Lloyd’s Register Advisory to undertake the study, and the detailed report focuses on up-to-date, high-level strategic guidance for shipowners on the evolving onboard carbon capture and storage (OCCS) landscape.

The report was commissioned at a time when international shipping is moving forward on its decarbonisation journey, and currently there are no alternative fuels available at scale. OCCS has been gaining traction as a potential pathway for both newbuild and existing ships to achieve compliance with tightening greenhouse gas (GHG) regulations.

The extensive report covers the current state of OCCS technologies, including a comparative assessment across key criteria such as technology readiness, fuel consumption, costs, safety, and environmental performance, as well as the latest developments in the regulatory framework.

The report found that OCCS is one of the few near-term options able to deliver material tank-to-wake reductions on vessels that will continue to operate on conventional or transition fuels through the 2030s.

ICS Technical Director Chris Waddington comments:

“It will be some years before the availability of the green fuels matches demand, and in the meantime OCCS has the potential to make a significant contribution to shipping’s decarbonisation.  The numerous technological options and the complex regulatory landscape can be bewildering. Nevertheless, the report addresses many of the questions that shipowners have been asking and provides an excellent starting point for those that are considering OCCS as part of their decarbonisation strategy”.

Olympia Tsitonaki, Decarbonisation Specialist and project lead of the report, Lloyds Register Advisory, states:

“Shipowners need practical options they can act on now to improve emissions performance while continuing to operate efficiently. As regulation tightens, the industry is looking for tools, insights and assurance that can support better decisions across fleet operations and investment planning. This report provides a clearer view of where onboard carbon capture stands today, the challenges still to be addressed, and how it could support compliance and efficiency goals in the years ahead.”

ICS hosted a webinar on the findings of the report which is available here.

Notes to Editors

For the full free Onboard Carbon Capture and Storage Review report please click here.

About ICS

The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) is the principal global trade association for merchant shipowners and operators, representing all sectors and trades and over 80% of the world’s merchant fleet – www.ics-shipping.org

About Lloyd’s Register    

Trusted maritime and energy sector advisors, partnering with clients to drive performance across the ocean economy.  

Lloyd’s Register (LR) is a global professional services group specialising in marine and offshore engineering, technology and digital solutions. We were created more than 260 years ago as the world’s first marine classification society to improve and set standards for the safety of ships.

Today we are a leading provider of classification and compliance services to the marine and offshore industries, helping our clients design, construct and operate their assets to accepted levels of safety and environmental compliance.

We also provide advisory services and digital solutions, supporting fleet and voyage performance and optimisation.  Through OneOcean, LR delivers integrated digital solutions supporting voyage planning, optimisation, compliance, training and fleet performance across more than 30,000 vessels globally.

In the race to zero emissions, our research, advisory and technical expertise and industry-firsts are supporting a safe, sustainable maritime energy transition.

Lloyd’s Register Group is wholly owned by the Lloyd’s Register Foundation, a politically and financially independent global charity that promotes safety and education.

For more information, go to www.lr.org

About Lloyd’s Register Advisory

Lloyd’s Register Advisory is a global professional services division within Lloyd’s Register, dedicated to helping clients navigate the complexities of the maritime and energy sectors. With a team of over 250 experts spanning technical and commercial disciplines, LR Advisory delivers strategic guidance across decarbonisation, digitalisation, regulatory adoption, and operational performance.

Our services support a diverse client base, including shipowners, ship yards, OEMs, charterers, financiers, alternative fuel suppliers, port authorities, and governments, offering tailored solutions that drive safety, sustainability, and competitive advantage. From asset performance and risk management to project delivery and ESG strategy, LR Advisory combines deep engineering and commercial expertise with advanced digital tools to unlock value and future-proof operations.

https://www.lr.org/en/services/advisory/