Picture the world’s shipping fleet as a collective country, and in 2022 it would have been the sixth-largest emitter on the planet, a sobering reality that underscores the urgent need for decarbonization across our global supply chains.
Key Takeaways
- In 2022, international shipping emitted approximately 1.056 billion tonnes of CO2, representing about 2.89% of total global GHG emissions from human activities.
- Container ships alone accounted for 222 million tonnes of CO2 emissions in 2021, making up 21% of the sector's total emissions.
- Between 2007 and 2012, shipping CO2 emissions grew by 10%, reaching 851 million tonnes annually.
- Methanol-fueled ships reduced CO2 by 15% compared to diesel in lifecycle analysis.
- By 2023, 12% of new ship orders were for alternative fuel vessels, led by LNG at 8%.
- LNG bunkering ports worldwide increased to 170 by end-2022.
- Plastic pellet pollution from shipping: 100,000 tonnes/year lost overboard.
- Sewage discharge from cruise ships: 1 billion gallons untreated annually pre-regulations.
- Ship waste generation: 13 million tonnes solid waste/year globally.
- MARPOL Annex VI compliance: 95% of fleet uses compliant fuel post-2020.
- EU ETS inclusion for shipping starts 2024, covering 50% of voyages to/from EU.
- IMO GHG Strategy targets 40% reduction by 2030, 70% by 2040 vs. 2008.
- Wind tunnel optimization reduces drag by 10% on newbuilds.
- Hull air lubrication systems save 8% fuel on 100+ retrofits.
- Rotor sails (Flettner) on retrofitted bulkers cut fuel 8-10%.
Shipping emissions are significant but new technologies and regulations are driving change.
Emissions
1In 2022, international shipping emitted approximately 1.056 billion tonnes of CO2, representing about 2.89% of total global GHG emissions from human activities.
Verified2Container ships alone accounted for 222 million tonnes of CO2 emissions in 2021, making up 21% of the sector's total emissions.
Verified3Between 2007 and 2012, shipping CO2 emissions grew by 10%, reaching 851 million tonnes annually.
Verified4In 2018, the shipping industry's total GHG emissions were equivalent to 1,056 million tonnes of CO2e, a 11.5% increase from 2012 levels.
Directional5Bulk carriers emitted 205 million tonnes of CO2 in 2021, comprising 19% of shipping's total CO2 output.
Single source6LNG carriers contributed 18 million tonnes of CO2 emissions in 2021, or 2% of the industry's total.
Verified7The EU shipping sector emitted 133 million tonnes of CO2 in 2018, accounting for 13% of transport emissions within the EU.
Verified8Global shipping NOx emissions were estimated at 14.4 million tonnes in 2018.
Verified9SOx emissions from ships dropped by 70% globally between 2015 and 2020 due to the 0.5% sulfur cap.
Directional10In 2020, cruise ships emitted 231,000 tonnes of CO2 per vessel on average annually.
Single source11Short-sea shipping in Europe emitted 140 million tonnes CO2e in 2018.
Verified12Tankers emitted 234 million tonnes of CO2 in 2021, 22% of total shipping emissions.
Verified13Aviation-like growth in shipping emissions could reach 17% of global total by 2050 without action.
Verified14Ro-Ro cargo ships emitted 47 million tonnes CO2 in 2021, 4% of sector total.
Directional15Ferry emissions in Europe totaled 35 million tonnes CO2 in 2019.
Single source16Global shipping black carbon emissions from heavy fuel oil were 1.1 million tonnes in 2015.
Verified17In 2021, chemical tankers emitted 35 million tonnes CO2, 3% of total.
Verified18Offshore supply vessels emitted 12 million tonnes CO2 in 2021.
Verified19Container ship emissions per TEU dropped 28% from 2010 to 2020 due to efficiency gains.
Directional20Global shipping methane emissions from LNG propulsion were 200,000 tonnes in 2022.
Single source21In 2019, shipping contributed 13% of EU maritime NOx emissions.
Verified22PM2.5 emissions from ships were 2.1 million tonnes globally in 2015.
Verified23General cargo ships emitted 28 million tonnes CO2 in 2021.
Verified24Arctic shipping CO2 emissions rose 386% from 2004 to 2019.
Directional25Vehicle carriers emitted 22 million tonnes CO2 in 2021.
Single source26In 2022, intra-regional shipping emitted 40% of total sector CO2.
Verified27Fishing vessels contributed 1% of global shipping CO2, or 10 million tonnes in 2020.
Verified28Tugboats and dredgers emitted 15 million tonnes CO2 in 2021.
Verified29Transoceanic voyages accounted for 60% of shipping CO2 emissions in 2021.
Directional30Reefer ships emitted 8 million tonnes CO2 in 2021.
Single sourceEmissions Interpretation
The shipping industry is a massive, varied fleet of floating smokestacks whose emissions are stubbornly climbing, making it alarmingly clear that without serious intervention, our global supply chain is on course to become one of our biggest climate problems.
Fuels
1Methanol-fueled ships reduced CO2 by 15% compared to diesel in lifecycle analysis.
Verified2By 2023, 12% of new ship orders were for alternative fuel vessels, led by LNG at 8%.
Verified3LNG bunkering ports worldwide increased to 170 by end-2022.
Verified4Ammonia as a marine fuel could reduce GHG emissions by 65-90% by 2050.
Directional5Hydrogen dual-fuel engines for ships were ordered for 50 vessels by 2023.
Single source6Biofuel blends up to B30 are used in 5% of global shipping fleet.
Verified7Methanol-ready vessels numbered 300 by 2023, up from 50 in 2020.
Verified8LNG reduces SOx by 99% and NOx by 85% compared to HFO.
Verified9By 2030, alternative fuels projected to cover 20% of shipping energy demand.
Directional10Electric ferries in operation reached 200 globally by 2022, saving 100,000 tonnes fuel/year.
Single source11LPG as fuel adopted in 20 vessels by 2023, reducing CO2 by 15%.
Verified12Wind-assisted propulsion reduces fuel use by 5-20% on retrofitted ships.
Verified13Nuclear propulsion concepts could eliminate fossil fuel use in large ships.
Verified14HVO (Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil) used in 100+ vessels, cutting CO2 by 90%.
Directional15Dual-fuel ammonia engines certified for 10,000-tonne vessels by 2023.
Single source16Battery capacity in hybrid ships grew 50% YoY to 500 MWh by 2022.
Verified17e-Methanol production capacity for shipping targeted at 1 Mtpa by 2025.
Verified18Fuel cell ships in operation: 5 by 2023, with 50 MW total power.
Verified19UCOME biofuels reduce lifecycle emissions by 85% vs. fossil fuels.
Directional20Air lubrication systems cut fuel consumption by 5-10% on 50+ vessels.
Single source21Solar panels on cargo ships generate 200 MWh/year per large installation.
Verified22Carbon capture on ships captures 20% of exhaust CO2 in pilot projects.
VerifiedFuels Interpretation
The shipping industry is experimenting with a chaotic but hopeful menu of alternative fuels, from the modest but proven LNG to the sci-fi promise of ammonia, showing we're past the starting line but still miles from a clean finish.
Innovations
1Wind tunnel optimization reduces drag by 10% on newbuilds.
Verified2Hull air lubrication systems save 8% fuel on 100+ retrofits.
Verified3Rotor sails (Flettner) on retrofitted bulkers cut fuel 8-10%.
Verified4Autonomous ships trials: 20+ by 2023, reducing crew emissions.
Directional5Digital twins optimize routes, saving 5% fuel fleet-wide.
Single source6Shaft generator tech boosts efficiency 10% on LNG carriers.
Verified7Just-in-time arrival reduces idling fuel by 14% in pilots.
Verified8Smart voyage optimization software adopted by 40% top operators.
Verified9Carbon capture retrofit captures 10% CO2 on ammonia pilot ship.
Directional10Hull cleaning drones remove 20 microns biofouling, saving 4% fuel.
Single source11AI weather routing cuts fuel 7% on transatlantic voyages.
Verified12Hybrid battery-sail systems in ferries save 30% diesel.
Verified13Superconducting motors increase efficiency 3% in electric propulsion.
Verified14Blockchain for fuel tracking reduces greenwashing by 50% in trials.
Directional15Kitesails on bulk carriers save 10-20% fuel over 10,000 nm.
Single source16Underwater radiated noise reduction via prop redesign by 10 dB.
Verified17Speed optimization reduces fuel 1% per 1 knot slow steaming.
Verified18LED lighting retrofits save 70% energy on 5,000 ships.
Verified19Waste heat recovery systems generate 10% ship power.
Directional20Autonomous underwater hull inspection robots in 50 ports.
Single source21IoT sensors monitor engine efficiency real-time, +2% savings.
Verified223D-printed spare parts reduce inventory 30%, emissions.
Verified23Rotor tow optimization software boosts thrust 15%.
VerifiedInnovations Interpretation
It seems the shipping industry, in its quest for cleaner seas, has become a high-tech scavenger hunt, gleefully squeezing out single-digit percentage savings from every nook and cranny of a ship, from the tip of its kite to the swirl of its propeller.
Regulations
1MARPOL Annex VI compliance: 95% of fleet uses compliant fuel post-2020.
Verified2EU ETS inclusion for shipping starts 2024, covering 50% of voyages to/from EU.
Verified3IMO GHG Strategy targets 40% reduction by 2030, 70% by 2040 vs. 2008.
Verified4FuelEU Maritime regulation mandates 2% e-fuel share by 2025.
Directional5EEDI (Energy Efficiency Design Index) applies to 90% of new ships >400 GT.
Single source6CII (Carbon Intensity Indicator) rating implemented for 100% fleet >5,000 GT from 2023.
Verified7US Clean Air Act limits sulfur in US waters to 1,000 ppm since 2012.
Verified8California Air Resources Board mandates shore power for container ships.
Verified9EEXI retrofits required for 50,000 ships by Nov 2022.
Directional10Global sulfur cap 0.5% since Jan 2020, compliance 98% audited.
Single source11Ballast Water Management Convention ratified by 90 countries, covering 95% tonnage.
Verified12Hong Kong Convention on ship recycling entered provisional application 2023.
Verified13EU MRV regulation reports 1,000 million tonnes CO2 from 12,000 ships in 2022.
Verified14SEEMP (Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan) mandatory for all ships >400 GT.
Directional15NOx Tier III standards apply in US/Canada/EU SECAs since 2016.
Single source16India mandates biofuel blending 5% for ships by 2025.
Verified17Singapore Green Port Programme reduces emissions 15% via incentives.
Verified18Ship recycling IHM (Inventory of Hazardous Materials) required for EU-registered ships.
Verified19Global Data Collection System (DCS) collects fuel data from 70,000 ships annually.
Directional20California zero-emission vessel goals: 40% by 2030 for drayage trucks equivalent.
Single source21RightShip GHG rating covers 25,000 vessels, influencing charter decisions.
Verified22IMO targets net-zero shipping by or around 2050.
Verified23EU Fit for 55 package includes shipping in ETS from 2024.
VerifiedRegulations Interpretation
The shipping industry is now navigating a dense regulatory archipelago where compliance is the new cargo, and the old adage of "full steam ahead" has been replaced by the urgent, plotted course toward decarbonization.
Waste
1Plastic pellet pollution from shipping: 100,000 tonnes/year lost overboard.
Verified2Sewage discharge from cruise ships: 1 billion gallons untreated annually pre-regulations.
Verified3Ship waste generation: 13 million tonnes solid waste/year globally.
Verified4Ballast water management: 10 billion tonnes exchanged annually, reducing invasive species by 90%.
Directional5Oil spills from tankers averaged 7 large incidents/year in 2010s, down 90% since 1970s.
Single source6Food waste from shipping: 2.5 million tonnes/year, 25% of onboard waste.
Verified7Scrubber washwater discharges: 12 million tonnes/day post-2020 sulfur rules.
Verified8Hazardous waste from ships: 1.2 million tonnes/year under MARPOL Annex V.
Verified9Marine plastic debris from fishing gear: 640,000 tonnes/year.
Directional10Greywater from cruise ships: 1 million tonnes/ship/year untreated.
Single source11Bilge water oily discharges reduced 80% by OWS since 1980s.
Verified12Cargo hold washings contribute 5% of ship-generated oily waste.
Verified13Port reception facilities handle 15 million tonnes waste/year in EU.
Verified14Incineration of ship waste: 1.5 million tonnes/year globally.
Directional15Lost shipping containers: 1,500/year, releasing 100,000 consumer goods into sea.
Single source16Antifouling paints release 100,000 tonnes biocides/year.
Verified17Sewage treatment systems installed on 90% of new cruise ships post-2010.
Verified18Shipbreaking waste: 1 million tonnes steel/year, with 5% hazardous.
Verified19Noise pollution from ships exceeds 180 dB in 10% of shipping lanes.
Directional20Microplastics from tire wear on ro-ro ships: 10,000 tonnes/year.
Single source21E-waste from ship electronics: 50,000 tonnes/year decommissioned.
Verified22Food packaging waste on ferries: 500,000 tonnes/year EU.
Verified23IMO 2020 sulfur cap increased scrubber sludge by 300,000 tonnes/year.
Verified24Ballast water treatment systems remove 99.99% organisms on 5,000+ ships.
DirectionalWaste Interpretation
We've clearly mastered the art of moving mountains of cargo across the oceans, but our clumsy side hustle of dumping mountains of waste into them is a seafaring disgrace we can no longer afford.
Sources & References
- Reference 1IMOimo.orgVisit source
- Reference 2STATISTAstatista.comVisit source
- Reference 3WWWCDNwwwcdn.imo.orgVisit source
- Reference 4IEAiea.orgVisit source
- Reference 5ECec.europa.euVisit source
- Reference 6DNVdnv.comVisit source
- Reference 7TRANSPORTENVIRONMENTtransportenvironment.orgVisit source
- Reference 8EEAeea.europa.euVisit source
- Reference 9SEATRADE-MARITIMEseatrade-maritime.comVisit source
- Reference 10THEICCTtheicct.orgVisit source
- Reference 11LRlr.orgVisit source
- Reference 12SPHERECLIMATEsphereclimate.comVisit source
- Reference 13NATUREnature.comVisit source
- Reference 14THEARCTICINSTITUTEthearcticinstitute.orgVisit source
- Reference 15FAOfao.orgVisit source
- Reference 16UNCTADunctad.orgVisit source
- Reference 17MAN-ESman-es.comVisit source
- Reference 18IEABIOENERGYieabioenergy.comVisit source
- Reference 19METHANOLmethanol.orgVisit source
- Reference 20IRENAirena.orgVisit source
- Reference 21ELECTRICHYBRIDMARINETECHNOLOGYelectrichybridmarinetechnology.comVisit source
- Reference 22SIGGASsiggas.comVisit source
- Reference 23NORSEPOWERnorsepower.comVisit source
- Reference 24ROLLS-ROYCErolls-royce.comVisit source
- Reference 25NESTEneste.comVisit source
- Reference 26WINWDwinwd.comVisit source
- Reference 27MAERSKmaersk.comVisit source
- Reference 28BALLARDballard.comVisit source
- Reference 29GOODFUELSgoodfuels.comVisit source
- Reference 30MITSUBISHIHmitsubishih.comVisit source
- Reference 31BOUND4BLUEbound4blue.comVisit source
- Reference 32STRIPCARBONstripcarbon.comVisit source
- Reference 33PLASTICPOLLUTIONCOALITIONplasticpollutioncoalition.orgVisit source
- Reference 34FRIENDS OF THE EARTHfriends of the earth.orgVisit source
- Reference 35ITOPFitopf.orgVisit source
- Reference 36SEAFOODSOURCEseafoodsource.comVisit source
- Reference 37WWFwwf.org.ukVisit source
- Reference 38EPAepa.govVisit source
- Reference 39HELSINGFORSKOMMISSIONENhelsingforskommissionen.fiVisit source
- Reference 40LLOYDSLISTlloydslist.comVisit source
- Reference 41CRUISINGcruising.orgVisit source
- Reference 42NGO-SHIPBREAKINGPLATFORMngo-shipbreakingplatform.orgVisit source
- Reference 43IUCNiucn.orgVisit source
- Reference 44UNEPunep.orgVisit source
- Reference 45ARMarm.cnVisit source
- Reference 46BWTSMARKETbwtsmarket.comVisit source
- Reference 47TRANSPORTtransport.ec.europa.euVisit source
- Reference 48WW2ww2.arb.ca.govVisit source
- Reference 49CLASSNKclassnk.or.jpVisit source
- Reference 50CLIMATEclimate.ec.europa.euVisit source
- Reference 51PIBpib.gov.inVisit source
- Reference 52MPAmpa.gov.sgVisit source
- Reference 53RIGHTSHIPrightship.comVisit source
- Reference 54MARINEINSIGHTmarineinsight.comVisit source
- Reference 55IBMibm.comVisit source
- Reference 56WARTSILAwartsila.comVisit source
- Reference 57VOYAGERPORTALvoyagerportal.comVisit source
- Reference 58NEOCARBONneocarbon.comVisit source
- Reference 59SEAROBOTSsearobots.comVisit source
- Reference 60STORMGEOstormgeo.comVisit source
- Reference 61VIKINGLINEvikingline.comVisit source
- Reference 62AMSCamsc.comVisit source
- Reference 63SKYSAILS-GROUPskysails-group.comVisit source
- Reference 64SILENCEPROJECTsilenceproject.euVisit source
- Reference 65CE DELFTce Delft.euVisit source
- Reference 66FLYGTflygt.comVisit source
- Reference 67ALFA-LAVALalfa-laval.comVisit source
- Reference 68SEAOTICSseaotics.comVisit source
- Reference 69ANEMOIanemoi.comVisit source