FINANCE
Marine fintech modernizes money at sea
Digital platforms bring new capital, payments, and transparency to shipping.
Image from ShipFinex.com
Shipping has long run on paper contracts and slow financing. But in 2025, fintech is transforming how vessels are bought, financed, and insured. From blockchain tokenization to digital credit, new players are redrawing the financial map of the maritime sector.
ShipFinex tokenizes ship ownership. ShipFinex launched Maritime Asset Tokens (MATs), allowing investors to buy fractional stakes in vessels through a regulated blockchain platform. Based in Dubai and licensed by VARA, the platform aims to open ship finance to a wider investor base.
129Knots unlocks bunker fuel credit. In February 2025, 129Knots debuted in Singapore with $10 million in backing led by Sing Fuels. Its Origination-to-Distribution platform uses blockchain to syndicate credit and give small bunker suppliers better access to financing.
Macquarie grows $2B shipping finance book. In September 2025, Macquarie announced its shipping finance loan book had passed USD 2 billion. The portfolio supports vessel purchases, green retrofits, and offshore service ships — showing that fintech sits alongside traditional banking.
Crédit Agricole CIB pushes structured finance. Crédit Agricole CIB continued to expand sustainable shipping finance in 2025, offering export credits, leases, and green loan structures. The bank highlights fintech-style monitoring tools that tie emissions data to lending terms.
That’s not all: digital wage platforms such as ShipMoney are expanding crew payment services, cutting remittance delays. Analysts expect marine fintech adoption to accelerate as shipowners seek faster funding and compliance in an industry worth trillions.
—TFI
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