PtX Lab Talks focus on sustainable fuels for maritime and air transport

PtX Lab Talk #14 ‘FuelEU Maritime – From regulation to responsibility in maritime transport’

The first review period of the FuelEU Maritime Regulation ends in 2025. Compliance strategies that have so far only been considered in theory must be put into practice by the end of the year and adapted to future review periods. 

We discussed precisely this topic at PtX Lab Talk #14 on 9 December 2025, entitled ‘FuelEU Maritime – From Regulation to Responsibility in Maritime Transport’. Over 60 participants joined in the discussion.

Julian Maier, Mobility Expert at PtX Lab Lausitz, opened the event with an assessment of the status quo in maritime transport. Based on existing and upcoming legal regulations for the industry, he highlighted fuel alternatives and outlined four scenarios for achieving greenhouse gas reduction targets in shipping.

Dr Pierre Sames, Director of Strategic Development for Maritime Transport at DNV SE, then explained the key points of the FuelEU Maritime Regulation. He looked back at the IMO vote on the Net Zero Framework, which failed in October, but expressed confidence that the expansion of the so-called ‘Emission Control Areas’ could be decided in spring 2026.

Lukas Leppert, Transport Policy Officer at NABU, identified the strengths and weaknesses of the FuelEU Maritime Regulation from an environmental perspective and made suggestions for improvements to increase its climate impact. He assessed the European requirements as an important first step, particularly the upcoming review process for targeted improvements.

PtX Lab Talk #15 ‘Setting the course for the eSAF market ramp-up’

In the latest episode of the digital event series, PtX Lab Talk #15 on 11 December 2025 on the topic of ‘Setting the Course for the eSAF Market Ramp-Up’, experts discussed how policy instruments need to be designed to accelerate the market ramp-up of electricity-based sustainable aviation fuels (eSAF). Over 100 people took an interest in the discussion.

Anita Demuth, head of section PtX Mobility at PtX Lab Lausitz, opened the discussion by focusing on two key levers for the eSAF market ramp-up: the promotion of investment and operating costs, known as CAPEX/OPEX subsidies, and public procurement.

Aurelia Leeuw, Director of EU Policy & Brussels Office at Opportunity Green, presented the perspective of non-governmental organisations (NGOs). She emphasised the need to reduce demand for air travel and called for fair, polluter-pays taxation.

Finally, Anders Fagernaes, Vice President of Sustainability at Norwegian Air Shuttle, explained that regulatory stability, long-term purchase agreements and the rapid deployment of existing support instruments are crucial to triggering investment and meeting SAF quotas in the future.

A key topic of discussion was the Sustainable Transport Investment Plan (STIP) and its new double-sided auction instrument, which was assessed as a potential lever for market ramp-up. The speakers discussed in detail how this double auction model would need to be designed in order to create planning security, revenue stability and scalability for eSAF projects. 

It was emphasised that success depends heavily on clear conditions for participation, a technology-neutral but emission-effective design, and possible pre-financing options.

PtX Lab Talk #16 on 22 January 2026

The next digital event, PtX Lab Talk #16 on the topic of ‘Zukunft gestalten – Die vier Fachgebiete des PtX Lab Lausitz stellen sich vor’, will take place on 22 January 2026. In it, the PtX Lab Lausitz management team will present the four new areas of expertise – PtX Raw Materials, PtX Mobility, PtX Technology and PtX Policy & Market Ramp-up – and focus on their strategic orientation for research, analysis and transfer from 2026 onwards.

Register now for PtX Lab Talk #16