THE LATE-October stalemate at the International Maritime Organisation that saw efforts to implement a Net Zero Framework postponed by 12 months has not deterred major shipping companies from taking their own pollution-reduction measures.
The latest to ignore geopolitical pollution games is dry bulk giant Pacific Basin Shipping, which has announced a strategic initiative to transform its bunker team into a new ‘Sustainable Energy Solutions’ team in what it says is a significant step to enhance the company’s resilience and competitiveness “in a rapidly evolving maritime and energy landscape”.
PacBasin says this aligns with its decarbonisation and optimisation initiatives and is designed to position the company at the forefront of maritime decarbonisation compliance and related monetisation opportunities, while also enabling it to deliver a broader suite of value-added services as customers’ needs change.
To lead this transformation, PacBasin has appointed Henrik Røjel as Head Sustainable Energy Solutions, effective from February 2026. Previously with Denmark’s DS Norden, Mr Røjel brings deep expertise in future fuels and decarbonisation services, the company says: he will help to fast-track its capabilities such as monetising alternative fuels through Book & Claim and carbon credit trading while optimising its approach to compliance with national, regional and global maritime GHG reduction regulations.
Mr Røjel’s arrival will coincides with Rakesh Sharma’s retirement in the summer of 2026 after 15 years of leadership of PacBasin’s bunker team, which has been instrumental to its success.
The company motes that Mr Røjel has held board-level positions and serves on the Advisory Board of the Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Centre for Zero Carbon Shipping, credentials that will be invaluable in PacBasin’s “drive to expand its innovative energy-related offerings, future-proof its business and enhance its position at the forefront of sustainable shipping.”