CEO Message

Navigating Change with Care, Compliance and Collaboration

The recent IMO Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) meeting in London was a reminder of just how complex the global energy transition can be. The decision to delay the implementation of the Net-Zero Framework reflects the scale of differing national priorities, but it also underscores why collaboration and consistency matter more than ever.

At AET, our direction remains unchanged. We continue to strengthen our operations and advance our decarbonisation journey through a tiered, practical approach grounded in proven steps. We operate one of the youngest and most efficient fleets in the industry, we are growing our dual-fuel capabilities, and our retrofit programme is advancing to ensure our vessels remain competitive and compliant. These are tangible actions that support our customers’ ambitions and strengthen our long-term resilience.

Over the past two months, our teams have been active across the industry, contributing to key forums such as OCIMF, INTERTANKO, APPEC 2025, the Argus Sustainable Marine Fuels Conference, and Marine Fuels 360. These forums highlighted that there is no single route to decarbonisation. The transition will be powered by multiple fuel pathways including LNG, biofuels, ammonia, hydrogen, and underpinned by strong partnerships and readiness. 

We recently received Approval in Principle (AiP) from Bureau Veritas (BV) for our strategic Joint Development Project with MISC, and Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI). The project integrates Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC) technology with an ammonia cracking system. This milestone reflects our determination to turn innovation into practical progress, advancing new technologies that bring us closer to our net-zero emission goals. Our role is to help our customers navigate the energy transition safely, efficiently and with confidence.

Safety, as always, is the foundation of everything we do. At the recent Care & Comply Partners’ Summit 2025, hosted by MISC Group, I joined peers and partners in reaffirming that safety is not a target but a shared culture – one built on leadership, accountability and care. It also means creating an environment where people feel safe to speak up, learn and improve. This commitment to psychological safety is essential to sustaining performance and trust across our global operations. I continue to visit our ships globally and hear first hand where we can improve further.

That same belief in continuous learning shapes how we invest in people and the future of our industry. Through initiatives like the AET-MaritimeONE scholarships and our partnerships with universities and organisations globally, we are helping to develop the next generation of maritime professionals – equipping them with the skills and perspective to lead our industry forward.

As we move forward, we’ll continue to focus on what has always defined AET: caring for our people, delivering for our customers, and upholding the highest standards of safety and integrity.

My thanks to our customers, partners and colleagues whose support and commitment continue to drive our progress.

Charting the Future of Tanker Shipping: AET at APPEC 2025 

Smriti Sharma, our Global Director of Strategy, Sustainability and ERM, spoke on a panel – “Charting tanker shipping’s next phase” at APPEC’s Shipping and Bunker Conference in Singapore on 10 September 2025.  

Together with her fellow panellists and moderator from Gibson Shipbrokers, Prudent Shipping Investment and S&P Global Commodity Insights, they delved into topics such as assessing freight outlooks against the background of trade flows being affected by global conflicts, evaluating net-zero targets and implications for tanker pools, as well as fleet renewal trends across global tanker markets.

Smriti explained that while LNG remains the most viable option for the near term, AET is also preparing for ammonia as a future fuel and recognises that biofuels will play a growing role. In her view, shipping’s path to net zero will be shaped by multiple fuel solutions, supported by collaboration across the value chain to ensure the right infrastructure is in place. 

She also noted that the energy transition is a “one-way street” — that while the pace may differ, the direction is set. For shipowners like us, early investment in sustainable solutions can provide meaningful differentiation and long-term value. 

To find out more about how we are responding to the rapidly evolving global energy and shipping landscape, please click here. 

Safety First in Fuel Transitions: AET at the Argus Sustainable Marine Fuels Conference

What role could ammonia and hydrogen play in powering North America’s fleet? That was the question that anchored the panel “Fleet First: How Shipowners are Balancing Risk, Regulation, and ROI in a Sustainable Marine Fuels Industry” at the Argus Media Sustainable Marine Fuels Conference in Houston on 12 September 2025.

Santiago Yanez, AET’s Head of Business Development (New Energy) & Technology, joined industry peers from Sumitomo Corporation of Americas, Argus, and Navigator Gas to unpack the opportunity and challenges ahead.

Together, the panellists addressed the pace of ammonia production on the U.S. Gulf Coast, the challenge of aligning supply and demand, and the potential impact of upcoming IMO regulations.

Sharing AET’s perspective, Santiago highlighted the importance of safety, regulation, and readiness in enabling the energy transition. “If regulations provide support, the rest of the ecosystem will follow,” he noted. He added, “We’ve been working with industry peers and authorities to develop and validate training for our seafarers. Safety will always remain our top priority.”

While the panel agreed there is no one-fuel solution, they highlighted the importance of preparing now, especially as the training market for ammonia begins to grow.

At AET, we see the energy transition as a journey that requires strong collaboration across the industry – from safety training to knowledge-sharing – to ensure readiness for the next generation of fuels. We remain committed to contributing to that collective effort.

Scaling Ammonia Adoption: Building the Pathway to Future Fuels

At Marine Fuels 360 2025 in Singapore on 8 October 2025, AET joined industry peers from NYK Bulkship Asia, Fleet Management and ITOCHU Corporation to discuss how the maritime sector can accelerate the adoption of ammonia as a marine fuel.

The session examined the practical building blocks for scaling ammonia bunkering in Asia: infrastructure and port readiness, regulatory frameworks, commercial incentives and the upskilling of seafarers to handle new fuels safely. 

Representing AET, Head of Decarbonisation Sobhith Hariharan shared how shipowners are preparing for this shift. He outlined AET’s approach to balancing investment and readiness, guided by long-term emissions reduction goals, charterer partnerships and evolving regulations. Drawing from AET’s early experience in developing the world’s first ammonia dual-fuel Aframax tankers, he reinforced the importance of shared responsibility in advancing future fuel adoption.

The discussion reflected a collective drive to move from intent to impact. Across the panel there was consensus that scaling new fuels will depend on deep collaboration across the value chain and a shared commitment to safety, regulation and practical implementation. Panellists also agreed that incentives for greener fuels and a decline in ammonia prices could be the twin catalysts needed to make large-scale deployment viable by the early 2030s.

Empowering Future Maritime Leaders: AET Awards 2025 MaritimeONE Scholarships and Hosts MaritimeONE Scholars

Supporting young maritime talent has always been one of AET’s priorities. This year, we awarded the first batch of AET-MaritimeONE scholarships as part of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed with the Singapore Maritime Foundation (SMF) last December. The scholars will be pursuing their studies at the Singapore Maritime Academy@Singapore Polytechnic majoring in Maritime Business or Marine Engineering. As part of their scholarship programme, they will also complete a six-month internship with AET, gaining real-world experience in areas such as commercial operations, sustainability, and HSSE.

To give the wider cohort of MaritimeONE scholars a closer look at life inside AET, we were delighted to host 35 students at our Singapore office on 18 August 2025. The visit offered them a first-hand introduction to AET’s global operations and the diverse career pathways within the maritime industry. At AET, we believe that investing in people is investing in the future of shipping. Our partnership with SMF is one of many initiatives aimed at equipping future maritime professionals with the knowledge, skills and networks they need to succeed. 

Click here to find out more.

#AETcares: Small Actions, Big Impact 

At AET, caring for communities and environments means taking action — and recent initiatives across our offices show how small steps can create meaningful change.
In Houston, a group of colleagues recently spent a day volunteering at the Galveston Bay Foundation’s aquatic nursery, preparing ponds that nurture over 2,500 native wetland plants. Their work involved tending to about 200 plants over 17 volunteer hours. These efforts help protect coastal ecosystems, strengthen shorelines, and create vital habitats for wildlife. It’s a reminder that real impact often begins with simple, hands-on efforts.

The same spirit of purpose was evident in Singapore, where AET and MISC colleagues — together with their families — took part in Walk for Our Children 2025, organised by the Singapore Children’s Society. This year’s theme, “Creating Safe Space, One Connection at a Time”, highlighted the power of everyday relationships within families and communities in helping young people thrive. The event raised vital funds to sustain the Society’s programmes and services, turning every step into support for children and families in need.

Back at our Singapore office, Project Heartbeat, a meaningful fundraiser held on 16 September 2025, brought colleagues together to raise funds through food stalls, games, and handcrafted items. Thanks to the generosity and collective effort of all involved, the event raised nearly 5000USD which will be matched by AET. But beyond the amount collected, the day was a celebration of unity in action and a testament to how much more we can achieve when we unite for a common cause.
From restoring wetlands and supporting children to fundraising for those in need, these efforts reflect what #AETcares is all about: showing up, standing together, and turning compassion into action. Every step, big or small, helps build a more sustainable and connected future.

UPCOMING EVENTS 

• 19-20 November: Tankers 2030 Conference Singapore
  Will Blagbrough, AET's General Counsel & Chief Integrity Officer, will be speaking on the panel “The View from the Top’” on Thursday, 20 November 2025 during Tankers 2030 Conference in Singapore. This panel offers an insider view on how ship owners and operators are navigating regulatory, technical and market challenges facing the tanker sector over the next five years, and their strategies to stay ahead.