Eastern Mediterranean shipping faces climate target implementation challenges

A new survey conducted by the Hellenic Marine Environment Protection Association (HELMEPA) reveals that while shipping companies in the Eastern Mediterranean are increasingly adopting net-zero climate strategies, they are struggling with significant barriers to implementation. The second wave of the METAVASEA survey, which synthesized data from 1,182 respondents collected between December 2024 and November 2025, shows that the percentage of companies aligning with the International Maritime Organization’s 2050 targets rose from 14 per cent to 22 per cent, with an additional 9 per cent opting for more ambitious goals.

Despite this progress, operational and financial obstacles have intensified. The number of companies citing financial constraints grew from 46 per cent to 59 per cent, while those reporting limited ability to implement changes increased from 29 per cent to 50 per cent. Furthermore, 50 per cent of participants now report a lack of awareness regarding available technological solutions. The survey also highlighted persistent human factors, with 69 per cent of seafarers identifying fatigue caused by increased workloads from new regulations as their primary safety concern. Other notable issues include inadequate training and difficulties managing alternative fuels and new equipment, suggesting that the industry's green transition is currently outpacing its technical and organizational capacity.