Shipowners are weighing alternative fuels, new technologies and capital decisions while EU ETS, FuelEU Maritime and UK ETS requirements continue to evolve. Anglo-Eastern’s Capt. Mrugeshkumar Balasubramanian says owners are seeking practical guidance that turns regulatory uncertainty into workable decisions.
Shipowners are making fuel, technology and investment decisions that could shape their fleets for the next decade, while the regulatory framework around maritime decarbonisation continues to evolve.
Capt. Mrugeshkumar Balasubramanian, Commercial Manager of Maritime Services at Anglo-Eastern, said his work with owners and operators has increasingly centred on helping them interpret requirements including the EU ETS, FuelEU Maritime and UK ETS alongside wider decarbonisation measures.
“Shipping is always connected the world. Our challenge today is to do it more sustainably, and I’m proud to play a small part in helping our industry navigate that journey,” Balasubramanian said.
He said owners are dealing with several decisions at once, from future fuels and new technologies to stakeholder expectations and investment planning.
“One of the biggest challenges today is while the direction is becoming clearer, the route remains far from certain,” he said.
That uncertainty is shaping the kind of support shipowners are seeking. Balasubramanian said companies are looking beyond straightforward explanations of what regulations require and want practical guidance on the trade-offs and risks attached to decisions made today.
“They’re looking for a trusted partner who can provide practical guidance and help them understand the trade offs, risks and opportunities behind the decisions that they are facing today,” he said.
This puts regulatory compliance alongside operational and commercial considerations. Decisions around fuel, technology and fleet strategy have to account for requirements that may continue to change, while preserving room for future choices.
“Our role is to help bring those pieces together. Whether it’s compliance, decarbonization strategy or operational support, we are helping our clients make informed decisions today while maintaining flexibility for tomorrow,” Balasubramanian said.
The message also aligns with the International Maritime Organization’s 2026 World Maritime Day theme, “From Policy to Practice: Powering Maritime Excellence”, which puts the practical application of maritime policy at the heart of the industry’s decarbonisation work.
