FINANCE
Maritime finance reshapes how floating assets are built
Banks, funds, and new lenders redefine capital for ships and offshore platforms across the floating economy.
Image by First Citizens Bank.
The floating economy depends on capital flows. From ships to offshore wind platforms, financing determines which projects move forward. In 2025, global maritime finance is under pressure to decarbonize while opening to new players.
Here are the latest developments:
Poseidon Principles drive climate-linked lending. More than 30 banks, covering over 80% of global ship finance, now align portfolios with climate targets under the Poseidon Principles. Lenders are tightening credit on high-emission vessels and favoring assets that meet efficiency benchmarks.
Green loans and transition financing emerge. Shipping finance in 2025 is shifting toward green loans and sustainability-linked products. Lawyers highlight “transition financing” frameworks designed to fund vessels that move gradually toward compliance with climate rules.
Technical standards shape investor access. Asset-level criteria such as AER and EEDI, codified by ICMA and LMA principles, are now prerequisites for green finance. DNV notes that ships and floating platforms failing to meet these standards will face higher capital costs.
Image by ShippingKnowHow.
India launches $2.9B maritime fund. In February 2025, India announced a $2.9 billion Maritime Development Fund to finance shipbuilding, repair, and logistics infrastructure. The move positions India as both a ship finance hub and a growth market for floating infrastructure.
New NBFC channels capital to ports and startups. India also launched its first maritime-focused non-banking finance company (NBFC) in June 2025. The Sagarmala Finance Corporation will direct lending into ports, shipping startups, and offshore projects.
Blue bonds expand as a funding tool. By mid-2025, blue bond issuance reached $2.5 billion globally, channeling capital to sustainable shipping and marine conservation. Analysts see the instrument as a way to bridge institutional investors into floating asset finance.
That’s not all: financiers now embed emissions covenants into deals. Owners missing targets risk higher rates, while those investing in floating renewables or clean ships secure cheaper capital. Maritime finance is no longer just about steel and tonnage—it’s about climate alignment, governance, and capital access.
—TFI
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