Shipping industry under emissions pressure

Ship owners have taken steps towards reducing carbon emissions and pollution, but pressure is intensifying for the industry to make greater strides in the fight against climate change

The European Commission (EC) has called for renewed efforts to reduce both carbon dioxide (CO2) and sulphur dioxide (SO2) emissions from maritime transport, following a December report by its Joint Research Centre. The scale of the shipping industry means maritime transport contributes around 3-5% of man-made CO2 emissions, despite having the lowest ratio of CO2 emissions per tonne-mile of any widespread mode of transport, says the EC. A projected expansion in world trade means emissions could double in the next 40 years from around 1bn tonnes a year – around the same level as Germany's total emissions. The report, Regulating Air Emissions from Ships, says the sector must also do more to red