New data has revealed a significant increase in the carbon emissions of the European Union’s (EU) marine shipping sector. According to Kayrros, a global leader in emissions tracking, regulated carbon emissions from the sector have risen by 14% year-on-year in the first two months of this year.
As part of the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS), marine shipping emissions now fall under regulatory oversight. The regulations apply to half of the emissions from ships entering and leaving the EU and all emissions for voyages within the Union.
The primary cause of the emissions surge appears to be shipping diversions due to Houthi attacks on vessels in the Red Sea. The targeting of vessels since mid-October has prompted many ships to avoid the Red Sea route between Asia and Europe. Instead, ships are taking a detour around South Africa’s Cape of Good Hope, adding up to 3,000 nautical miles to their journey.
Maritime emissions 2024 vs 2023 vs 2022 in Mt/day
The rerouting has resulted in significant carbon emissions increases. According to Kayrros, an average container ship emits an additional 900 tons of carbon (+30%) when avoiding the Red Sea. Similarly, a Very Large Crude Carrier travelling from the Middle East Gulf to Northwest Europe produces an extra 1,500 tons of carbon emissions.
The EU’s marine shipping emissions were already on the rise before the Houthi attacks, increasing 5.7% in the first nine months of 2023 compared to the same period in 2022. However, the growth rate has accelerated dramatically since the onset of the attacks, despite the implementation of EU ETS regulations.
Antoine Rostand, President and co-founder of Kayrros, said Red Sea diversions present a real challenge for decarbonization efforts.
“With no end in sight for the reroutes, carbon emissions will continue to remain high. In the absence of clean or cleaner fuel for shipping, this would mean a setback for both the maritime industry and the European Commission’s progress towards net zero, all other things being equal.”
U.S. Representatives Salud Carbajal (D-CA-24) and Mike Ezell (R-MS-4) have introduced the Mariner Exam Modernization Act, legislation aimed at overhauling the Coast Guard’s Merchant Mariner Credentialing exam system. The current...
The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) announced on Tuesday a sweeping action targeting nearly two dozen firms involved in Iran’s illicit international oil trade....
The European Union must focus on a new sanctions package to suffocate Russia's economy and force President Vladimir Putin to end the war in Ukraine, France's foreign minister said on Wednesday.
2 hours ago
Total Views: 126
Get The Industry’s Go-To News
Subscribe to gCaptain Daily and stay informed with the latest global maritime and offshore news
— just like 109,095 professionals
Secure Your Spot
on the gCaptain Crew
Stay informed with the latest maritime and offshore news, delivered daily straight to your inbox
— trusted by our 109,095 members
Your Gateway to the Maritime World!
Essential news coupled with the finest maritime content sourced from across the globe.
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.