Caribbean maritime administrations and industry stakeholders have developed a draft regional roadmap for shipping decarbonization covering 2027–2035. Prepared during an October workshop in Guyana, the framework identifies green ports, alternative marine fuels and investment planning as priorities, while seeking to preserve affordable shipping and essential maritime connectivity across the region.
Caribbean Maritime Authorities Move Toward a Regional Action Framework
Representatives of Caribbean maritime administrations, regional organizations and the shipping industry met in Georgetown, Guyana, on October 28–29, 2026, to prepare a coordinated approach to maritime decarbonization. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) announced the outcome on November 4, confirming the development of a draft Caribbean Regional Roadmap for Maritime Decarbonization and a Just Transition (2027–2035).
The workshop brought together participants from the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), the Caribbean Shipping Association (CSA), financial institutions, regional universities and other maritime stakeholders. Their work builds on earlier regional consultations and seeks to translate the IMO’s 2023 greenhouse gas reduction strategy into measures adapted to Caribbean shipping conditions.
Rather than establishing new binding requirements, the Georgetown meeting produced a draft Implementation Action Matrix. According to the IMO, the document identifies proposed activities, timelines, milestones, performance indicators, potential partners and financing requirements.
This distinction matters for port authorities and shipping operators. The roadmap remains under development, but its accompanying matrix provides a structure for discussing responsibilities and implementation needs across jurisdictions with different maritime capacities.
Green Ports and Alternative Fuels Move into Operational Planning
Port energy consumption, vessel efficiency and emissions monitoring are among the operational priorities identified in the Caribbean’s draft maritime decarbonization roadmap. The framework calls for stronger emissions data collection, improved access to clean electricity and wider consideration of digital technologies in shipping and port operations.
For port administrations, these priorities raise practical questions about the information, infrastructure and technical capabilities needed to support lower-emission maritime services. Reliable emissions data can help establish a baseline for future measures, while energy assessments can identify where operational improvements may be considered. The roadmap does not, however, prescribe specific equipment or implementation deadlines for individual terminals.
Alternative marine fuels form another major component. Workshop participants examined the need to assess fuel options, bunkering infrastructure and opportunities for green shipping corridors. Such assessments would need to consider the relationship between fuel availability, vessel requirements and port readiness before individual projects could advance.
The regional discussion follows growing industry attention to alternative propulsion technologies. In September 2026, LATITUDE15 examined the Fortescue Green Pioneer ammonia demonstration in Suriname, which highlighted the fuel-handling, safety and training requirements associated with ammonia-powered shipping.
The Georgetown roadmap addresses a broader question: how Caribbean administrations and maritime stakeholders could coordinate their preparation for emerging technologies. The IMO has not announced specific ports, fuel suppliers or shipping routes selected for implementation under the draft framework.
Investment Readiness and Maritime Skills Become Central Priorities
Financing is identified as a separate strategic pillar in the proposed Caribbean maritime decarbonization roadmap. Participants considered how to identify investment opportunities and develop a regional pipeline of projects capable of attracting financial and technical support.
Moving from a policy objective to an investment proposal requires more than identifying a technology. Port authorities and project developers need to define the proposed intervention, establish its technical requirements and determine which institutions could participate. The draft Implementation Action Matrix is intended to help organize such considerations, including potential partners and financing needs.
No regional funding allocation or approved investment portfolio was announced following the Georgetown workshop. The initiative remains focused on preparing priorities and identifying possible pathways toward future cooperation and project development.
Workforce readiness is another component of the proposed transition. The roadmap includes maritime education, professional training, safety, gender equality and opportunities for younger workers, alongside measures intended to protect vulnerable communities.
These issues are closely connected to the technical ambitions of the framework. New fuel systems and changing port operations can introduce additional competence and safety requirements, making personnel preparation part of the planning process rather than a separate consideration.
The IMO also places affordability and connectivity within the initiative’s stated objectives. For a region that depends on maritime transport for essential services and trade, the proposed transition must be considered alongside the continuing need for accessible shipping connections.
December Consultations Will Determine the Roadmap’s Next Stage
The Caribbean Regional Roadmap for Maritime Decarbonization and a Just Transition has not yet been formally adopted. Following the Georgetown workshop, the draft roadmap and Implementation Action Matrix are to be consolidated and circulated to IMO Member States for national consultations, with feedback expected by December 20, 2026.
The next proposed stage is consideration through the regional Directors and Heads of Maritime Administrations (DIHMAR) process in January 2027. Engagement through relevant CARICOM mechanisms could follow, allowing the participating institutions to examine the regional framework and its proposed implementation arrangements.
The roadmap may also inform a submission to the IMO Technical Cooperation Committee’s 77th session, scheduled for June 2027. That possibility does not constitute approval of the document or confirmation of funding for the activities it identifies.
The consultation process will therefore be important in determining how the five strategic priorities are refined. Governance, energy efficiency, alternative fuels, investment preparation and workforce development have been identified, but their translation into individual projects will require further decisions by the institutions involved.
For Caribbean ports and shipping operators, the immediate development to monitor is the December consultation deadline. The responses received and the subsequent regional discussions will help establish whether the proposed roadmap can progress from a shared planning framework toward defined responsibilities and implementable maritime projects.
FAQ
What is the Caribbean Maritime Decarbonization Roadmap 2027–2035?
The Caribbean Regional Roadmap for Maritime Decarbonization and a Just Transition (2027–2035) is a draft framework developed during an IMO-supported workshop in Georgetown, Guyana, in October 2026. It identifies five strategic priorities intended to coordinate regional action on cleaner shipping, port operations, investment and workforce development.
What does the roadmap propose for Caribbean ports?
The draft roadmap identifies energy efficiency, emissions monitoring, clean electricity, digitalization and alternative marine fuel infrastructure as areas for regional cooperation. It also proposes assessing opportunities for green shipping corridors, without identifying specific ports or projects approved for implementation.
Does the roadmap require Caribbean ports to adopt alternative fuels?
No. The roadmap remains a draft planning framework and does not introduce binding obligations requiring individual ports to adopt particular fuels. Its proposals focus on evaluating technologies, infrastructure needs, safety considerations and potential investment opportunities.
When could the Caribbean maritime roadmap be finalized?
IMO Member States are expected to provide feedback on the draft roadmap by December 20, 2026, with regional consideration proposed through the DIHMAR process in January 2027. Further engagement through CARICOM mechanisms and a possible submission to the IMO in June 2027 are envisaged, but no definitive adoption date has been announced.
