Driving sustainability: How Atal Solutions is powering green innovation in the maritime sector

The global demand for sustainable innovation is driving change in the maritime sector. As governments and corporations strive to meet their net-zero emissions commitments, innovative sustainable solutions are paving the way for global change and reducing the risk of environmental non-compliance.

The shipping sector, in particular, will see improvements in this area, as it looks towards compliance with the Energy Efficiency Existing Ship Index (EEXI), Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII), and other regulations. Sustainable technologies are poised to revolutionise the industry, delivering cost savings, driving operational efficiency and increasing regulatory compliance.

Atal Solutions, a leader in export finance and compliance, works as a turnkey contractor across multiple industries, delivering sustainable, cross-border economic developments that generate new business opportunities.

Driven by its mission to build a better future, Atal Solutions embarked on a US$111 million green shipping project which will radically reduce the emissions and waste produced by shipping vessels. To bring this complex project to fruition, Atal Solutions needed a partner who could seamlessly manage and execute the financing arrangement.

After a careful evaluation process, Atal Solutions enlisted TMF Group to orchestrate the financing of a supplier credit facility agreement.

The deal involved the establishment of a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) to purchase four bulk carriers from a global ship management company. These vessels will undergo innovative green retrofitting and engineering to radically improve their environmental performance, regulatory compliance and operational efficiency. ’’We look at real, impactful solutions that are easy and fast to implement based on proven technologies. If we truly believe in a project, we make it happen,” says Edwin Sieswerda, Founder and Managing Director, Atal Solutions.

The retrofit, due to start in the first quarter of 2025, will be tracked and monitored in real time for performance, ensuring that ongoing improvements can be made to maximise both operational efficiency and the sustainable benefits.

Atal Solutions leveraged corporate financing for the project, raising 85% of the funds through external financing, while 15% was financed through equity.

TMF Group facilitated the transaction by incorporating and managing the corporate infrastructure, including a Dutch SPV, a Dutch Foundation and one Security Agent Foundation. TMF Group also provided holistic support to the project, and will be acting as a paying agent, calculation agent, registrar and director of the Security Agent Foundation.

TMF Group has been instrumental in making the financing happen for this transaction by acting as a corporate service provider and also by being able to work both globally and locally.

The projected benefits of the project include:

• 20% reduction in fuel consumption
• 80%-90% reduction in carbon emissions
• Sustainable processing of shipping waste, including scrubber waste
• Extending the lifespan of each vessel by 10 years

The innovative carbon capture system will reduce emissions further by capturing them at source. Looking ahead, Atal Solutions expects that this project will mark the start of a wider green revolution in European shipping, leading to similar projects in the future.

By leveraging TMF Group’s expertise in complex financial transactions, Atal Solutions has bolstered its reputation as a credible and reliable partner for high-impact engineering and infrastructure projects. This transaction will consolidate Atal Solutions’ position as a sustainability leader, enabling it to carry out projects across a range of sectors, including food security, schooling, healthcare and green shipping.

Atal Solutions  combines entrepreneurial expertise and a global network to drive projects financed by export credit. The company accelerates international trade in capital goods and services by managing corporate project structures, arranging export credit, and providing top-tier compliance advice. Atal's integrated approach connects exporters and importers, creating new business opportunities and making a meaningful impact in the international trade landscape.

Services provided by TMF Group: Capital markets services
Jurisdictions covered: The Netherlands