In 2022, European shipping witnessed record-high emissions, prompting urgent calls for decarbonization amidst growing concerns about climate impact. The transportenvironment source.
- European shipping emissions reached an all-time high in 2022, surpassing pre-pandemic levels, with cruise ships and LNG transportation contributing significantly.
- Delayed emissions data revealed the severity of the situation, emphasizing the urgency for Europe to accelerate its decarbonization efforts in the shipping industry.
- Cargo ships, led by MSC, were major contributors to emissions, while the surge in liquified natural gas (LNG) shipments highlighted the need for stricter regulations and sustainable shipping practices.
Record-High Emissions Pose Climate Concerns
The shipping industry experienced a bumper year in 2022, but the consequences for the climate are alarming. Recent analysis by Transport & Environment (T&E) reveals that European shipping emissions reached an all-time high. This surge comes on the heels of the UN’s global shipping summit in July, where binding emissions measures were not agreed upon. As a result, T&E underscores the urgency for Europe to forge ahead with its ambitious decarbonization strategy to combat this alarming trend.
Delayed Emissions Data Paints a Bleak Picture
European shipping operators are required by law to submit their emissions data to the EU each year. T&E, in collaboration with the EU, has historically assessed the evolution of Europe’s shipping emissions using this data. However, last year, many operators failed to provide their emissions data on time, leading to a significant underreporting of Europe’s total shipping emissions. The newly revised figure stands at over 135 million tonnes, surpassing pre-pandemic emission levels, with cruise ships and LNG transportation playing significant roles in this increase.
Key Contributors to Emission Surge
Cruise ship emissions witnessed a substantial increase in 2022, more than doubling compared to the previous year due to disruptions in international travel. The MSC Grandiosa stood out as the most polluting ship, emitting over 134,000 tonnes of CO2 in 2022, equivalent to the emissions of a small town. Cargo ships, especially MSC, CMA CGM, Maersk, COSCO, and Hapag-Lloyd, were responsible for the bulk of emissions, with MSC emerging as Europe’s largest single polluter, emitting over 10.5 million tonnes of CO2.
LNG Shipping Surge Amidst Changing Energy Trends
A significant trend in 2022 was the substantial increase in liquified natural gas (LNG) shipments, growing by 60% compared to the previous year. Europe’s heightened sanctions on Russian oil drove an import push for LNG, resulting in a substantial increase in seaborne emissions. The surge in LNG transportation underscores the need for more stringent regulations and a rapid transition to cleaner and more sustainable shipping practices.
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Source-transportenvironment
