S2G Investments Releases Report Spotlighting Near-Term Opportunities in Maritime Energy Efficiency

Significant investment, fit-for-purpose capital, and new business models are key to meaningful progress

CHICAGO, May 1, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- S2G Investments ("S2G"), a multi-stage investment firm focused on scaling solutions across food and agriculture, oceans, and energy, today released a new report: Invested at the Seams of the Maritime Energy Transition. The report examines shifting market dynamics, investment strategies, and near-term solutions that can help accelerate emissions reductions while unlocking competitive advantage in the maritime sector.

As a cornerstone of global trade, the maritime industry moves over 80% of the world's goods. But despite being a lower greenhouse gas (GHG) emission mode of transportation compared to air freight on a per-ton basis, it still accounts for 3% of all global emissions. Maritime emissions have risen 20% in the past decade alone as trade volumes have increased.

With regulations tightening and companies pushing for more surety across the supply chain, S2G believes maritime companies that are early adopters of energy-efficient technologies stand to gain a competitive edge. Near-term solutions are available today that can help improve capital efficiency, bolster supply chain resilience, and help companies future-proof their operations in an increasingly volatile global trade environment.

"The decarbonization of maritime shipping can't happen in isolation. This sector intersects nearly every part of our global economy, from energy infrastructure and food systems to industrial supply chains and consumer goods. That complexity makes decarbonization challenging, but it also presents a powerful opportunity to drive system-wide efficiency and emissions reductions," said Kate Danaher, Managing Director at S2G. "While breakthrough innovations are on the horizon, there are existing market-ready solutions delivering real progress. With targeted investment and greater attention to these technologies, the industry has a real opportunity to accelerate progress on the transition."

The report builds on S2G's deep experience working across adjacent sectors - including energy, food & agriculture, and oceans - and outlines how these intersections offer unique leverage points for innovation. S2G's "Invested at the Seams" approach enables the firm to identify system-level efficiencies, unlock capital barriers, and scale solutions in overlooked areas of the maritime value chain.

The report covers a range of topics critical to understanding the evolving maritime decarbonization landscape. Highlights include:

• Near-Term Technologies with High Potential: Solutions like AI-enabled voyage optimization, air lubrication systems, wind-assisted propulsion, and battery integration are offering both economic and environmental returns today.
• Regulatory and Market Tailwinds: The International Maritime Organization's 2025 draft regulation introduces a global price on carbon, creating a major incentive for energy efficiency adoption. Geopolitical uncertainty, volatile fuel markets, and mandates like the EU Emissions Trading System further amplify the need for innovation.
• Fit-for-Purpose Capital and Business Models: An estimated $1.4-$1.9 trillion in investment is needed to decarbonize the maritime industry by 2050. Financing strategies from hardware-as-a-service (HaaS) to long-term vessel leasing models can unlock capital efficiency and scale deployment.
• Case Studies from the Frontlines: Featured examples include S2G portfolio companies Sofar Ocean, which uses the world's largest distributed ocean sensor network and AI-enabled routing to reduce fuel use and emissions, and Purus, a developer and operator of low-carbon vessels deploying hybrid and alternative fuel technologies at scale.

To read the full report, please download it here.

About S2G Investments:
S2G is a multi-stage investment firm focused on venture and growth-stage businesses across food & agriculture, oceans, and energy. The firm provides capital and value-added resources to companies and leadership teams pursuing market-based solutions designed to deliver greater value, improved outcomes, and enhanced performance over traditional alternatives. With a commitment to creating long-term, measurable outcomes, S2G structures flexible capital solutions that can range from venture funding through growth equity to debt and infrastructure financing. For more information about S2G, visit s2ginvestments.com or connect with us on LinkedIn.

Media Contact:
Ally Dunne
[email protected]

SOURCE S2G Investments