The Methane Abatement in Maritime Innovation Initiative (MAMII) has held its first event in Brussels, bringing together shipowners, engine manufacturers, technology developers and EU policymakers to advance efforts to cut methane emissions from LNG-fuelled vessels.

The coalition, which is run by Safetytech Accelerator, an organisation established by Lloyd’s Register, aims to reduce the environmental impact of LNG while helping the sector progress toward future fuel alternatives.

During the event, participants reviewed recent progress in methane measurement and reduction technologies, as well as the need for closer alignment between regulatory developments and emerging solutions. Speakers also emphasised the importance of balancing urgent action with accurate, reliable data.

During the event, methane was described as a high-priority target for emissions reduction, with delegates highlighting that it is 28 times more potent than CO2 over a 100-year period and the second most significant greenhouse gas emitted by shipping. According to the initiative, cutting methane slip offers one of the fastest pathways for climate impact in the maritime industry.

Discussion covered developments across the entire emissions chain. Upstream, transparency is improving thanks to better monitoring tools that can inform LNG sourcing decisions. However, the most significant challenge remains in tank-to-wake emissions, particularly combustion-related slip. Some engine designs have already achieved reductions of 60–70% in recent years, supported by the arrival of aftertreatment technologies that could further lower emissions by another 80–90%.

Technology providers demonstrated solutions ranging from catalyst-based aftertreatment and advanced sensor systems to AI-driven emissions analysis and handheld methane leak detection devices for pipelines.

Shell’s Technology Manager, Stephen Brown, said the firm’s own methane-abatement catalyst system will begin trials onboard a vessel in December. It will be the third aftertreatment system tested within the MAMII programme, with initial findings across earlier trials described as encouraging. The technology could be ready for commercial use as early as 2027.

Industry representatives also called for more transparent, predictable regulatory frameworks to support investment in methane-reduction technologies. They pointed to the need for updated default values that reflect recent technological advances, robust measurement standards, incentives for early adopters and greater support for retrofitting existing ships. Alignment between EU and IMO rules was described as crucial to achieving regulatory consistency and operational certainty across global fleets.

Panos Mitrou, MAMII chair and Lloyd's Register Global Gas Segment Director, said: "Methane abatement is both a climate obligation and a strategic opportunity for technology development. It is a great example for the industry to demonstrate action and compliance. It can offer substantial emissions reductions, generating positive cash flows and balance, in carbon cost measures.”

He also added that, "The Brussels event marked a significant milestone for our initiative, strengthening cooperation between regulators, industry, and innovators.”

"The consensus was clear: momentum is building, solutions are advancing rapidly, and reducing methane emissions is within reach for the maritime sector. We must now focus on expanding these solutions to global fleets, improving the data supporting our decisions, and guiding the industry confidently towards significant methane reduction," Mitrou concluded.