Our profile
The Lloyd’s Register Maritime Decarbonisation Hub (commonly known as the Decarb Hub) is an independent, non-profit initiative established through a partnership between Lloyd’s Register Foundation — a global charity with a mission to engineer a safer world — and Lloyd’s Register Group, a global provider of maritime professional services with over 260 years of heritage.
This partnership brings together the Foundation’s public benefit mandate and focus on societal resilience, with the Group’s deep technical expertise and trusted relationships across the maritime industry. Positioned at the intersection of these two organisations, the Hub is uniquely equipped to accelerate the safe, sustainable, and human-centric decarbonisation of global shipping — combining neutrality with influence, and research with real-world application.
Our vision
A decarbonised shipping industry, with human safety and sustainability at its core.
Our mission
To accelerate the safe, sustainable, and human-centric transition of the maritime industry, by building coalitions that deliver programmes of research, insights, and policy to unlock shipping’s decarbonisation and accelerate zero emissions fuel adoption.
Our origins
The journey towards the Decarb Hub began in 2016, when the Lloyd's Register Group published the 'First Movers in Shipping's Decarbonisation' report, demonstrating a commitment to driving maritime decarbonisation beyind the minimum policy requirements. This pioneering approach set the stage for transformative thinking in the industry and ultimately led to the formation of the Decarb Hub as an independent, non-profit organisation in 2020.
Since then, and in partnership with the Lloyd's Register Foundation and the Lloyd's Register Group, we have grown into an influential, evidence-led research and action unit. From the outset, we have challenged conventional thinking by pioneering first-mover action through the formation of the Silk Alliance, a green corridor cluster initiative that mobilises industry collaboration to accelerate zero-emission shipping across the Indian and Pacific Oceans. We have also led the way in risk research by applying Quantitative Risk Assessment (QRA) modelling to evaluate the safety implications of alternative fuels, setting new standards for risk management in maritime decarbonisation.
These strategic actions have positioned the Decarb Hub as a leader in Fuel Adoption and Human Safety and Risk initiatives, driving impactful change across the industry.
To celebrate our official launch, we commissioned Future Seasacpes, a virtual art exhibition by UK-based artist Reuben Dangoor. This exhibition reimagines great maritime artworks for a zero-carbon future. In our virtual exhibition, paintings by some of the Great Masters in Art – Joseph Mallord William Turner, Vincent Van Gogh, Claude Monet and Tingqua – are exhibited side-by-side with their zero-carbon interpretations. These powerful artworks highlight the pathways to a zero-carbon future for the maritime industry.
Explore the Future Seascapes to see how our vision of a decarbonised maritime industry comes to life through art.
Frequently asked questions about decarbonisation
Decarbonisation as a general term refers to the reduction and control of manmade greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. GHG emissions from shipping are a consequence of the carbon intensity of shipping’s energy supply, the energy efficiency of shipping, and the demand for shipping.
Shipping, as an industry, is currently dependent on fossil-based fuels for propulsion, therefore decarbonisation is a transformation away from fossil-based fuels to zero-carbon energy sources. This requires the development of a fleet of ships that derive their energy consumption from zero-carbon energy sources, and the development of supply chains that can deliver those zero-carbon energy sources at sufficient volume and in sufficient locations.
Yes. As one of the world’s leading shipping classification societies, Lloyd’s Register prides itself on giving expert, independent opinion, free from outside influence. Our existing body of research into decarbonisation demonstrates that autonomy, which will continue in the work of The Decarb Hub.
The Decarb Hub will be overseen by a Stakeholder Panel of representatives from the shipping industry, who will shape the strategy of the Hub, with a Governance Board of representatives from Lloyd’s Register and Lloyd’s Register Foundation. The Hub’s governance system will produce regular reports about its work and outcomes, to maintain transparency and independence.
The Decarb Hub governance structure consists of two key components:
Management Team: This group is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the Hub, ensuring the execution of the Hub’s strategic initiatives, and facilitating the integration of its mission with ongoing projects. The management team is accountable for aligning activities with the Hub’s vision, implementing its impact strategy, and achieving the defined social and environmental goals.
Governing Committee: This committee plays a vital role in providing overall direction and governance. It ensures that the Hub adheres to its mission, impact strategy, and its broader social and environmental objectives. The committee also monitors and evaluates the Hub’s performance to guarantee transparency in the use of philanthropic funding. This ensures that the financial support received is being utilized in alignment with the intended outcomes and provides guidance on strategic priorities.
The Hub will produce regular reports about its work, in order to maintain transparency and independence.