The maritime sector is under pressure from emission reduction regulations resulting from climate laws such as Fit for 55. With the introduction of the FuelEU Maritime regulations, which have been active since 2025, shipping companies and fuel traders are confronted with new requirements and complex decisions to reduce emissions. Solutions include retrofitting and switching to low-carbon fuels. These regulations will also indirectly impact fuel suppliers and traders, as demand for alternative fuels and strategies will increase.

Regarding the above, larger companies have the resources and capacity to respond and adapt adequately. For smaller and medium-sized companies, there are barriers that hinder or delay the transition. It is important that fuel companies also participate in the transition. Within fuel and bunker trading companies, there are traders who can play an important role as intermediaries in promoting low-carbon transition fuels. However, traders also face obstacles in communicating about sustainable fuels and regulations.

Therefore, this research focuses on the development of a digital tool that can support traders in communicating fuel options more effectively and stimulate informed decision-making towards the adoption of low-carbon transition fuels among shipping companies. A digital tool can positively influence and facilitate substantive communication and understanding between both stakeholders. The research project follows an iterative Double Diamond Design process divided into phases.

The project started with an in-depth exploration of the context, internal processes, regulations, (behavioral) barriers, and drivers among the main stakeholders. This highlighted bottlenecks such as uncertainty or the lack of knowledge and tools. But it also showed opportunities and strategies that could be implemented to stimulate communication and adoption, such as nudging strategies, intervention moments and the need for stakeholder collaboration.

Based on the insights gained, a design scope has been established, and a design vision has been defined that offers direction and constraints for the project. From that, concrete design goals and requirements have been formulated to encompass all needs and design choices.

These principles translated into 3 envisioned scenarios (standard relationship processes between stakeholders), from which associated concept ideas emerged for a calculation tool that provides strategic insight into fuel, compliance, and costs.

These concept ideas were tested with traders and found useful, effective, and strategically valuable. Traders expressed a need for a flexible and effective tool with clear insights that supported various customer interaction moments regarding sustainability, costs, and compliance.

After this validation and further insights, a final concept tool was developed with additional materials such as a toolkit, roadmap, leaflet, and mail report. All are designed to ensure the implementation and communication of the tool and its adoption, and to maximize impact. The tool is designed to meet the process and interaction needs of stakeholders. It enables fast and low-threshold scenario analyses and strategic decision considerations. In addition, it stimulates and improves stakeholder relations, makes benefits visible, minimizes barriers, and can be utilized in multiple usage scenarios.

The tool offers a scalable foundation for future digital solutions supporting informed communication and decision-making about sustainable fuel choices in the maritime sector.