Singapore-based shipping company Swire Shipping has launched “Voyage to Zero,” an innovative carbon-insetting program designed to help its freight customers achieve a reduction in their Scope 3 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
Voyage to Zero: A Carbon Insetting Initiative
The “Voyage to Zero” program was officially launched by Fiji’s Minister of the Environment and Climate Change, Mosese Bulitavu, at a ceremony aboard the containership MV Apia Chief in Suva on July 11, 2025.
The core of the program lies in carbon insourcing. This method allows companies to reduce their carbon footprint by investing in emissions reduction or carbon removal projects within their value chain or sector. Through “Voyage to Zero,” freight customers can purchase and claim GHG savings derived from the use of second-generation biofuels on Swire Shipping vessels. This is facilitated through a “book and claim” chain of custody model, meaning customers can claim the GHG savings even if their specific cargo is not transported on a biofuel-powered vessel.
Emissions savings are calculated by comparing the performance of biofuels with reference fossil fuels on an energy-equivalent basis, utilizing independently verified data to ensure accuracy and transparency.
Jeremy Sutton, Chief Executive Officer of Swire Shipping, highlighted the significance of the program: “The launch of Voyage to Zero and transition to biofuel are important steps in our decarbonisation strategy that will allow us to provide greater support to customers looking to reduce their emissions.” He also emphasized the company’s solidarity with Pacific Island nations, which, despite contributing minimally to global emissions, face severe consequences from climate change. By introducing greener fuels in the South Pacific, Swire Shipping aims to support its vision for a resilient, thriving, and sustainable future.
Biofuel Adoption and Fleet Deployment
The launch of “Voyage to Zero” follows Swire Shipping’s earlier announcement in April 2025 that three of its vessels serving the South Pacific had successfully transitioned to B24 second-generation biofuel blends. Second-generation biofuels are produced from non-food biomass, such as agricultural residues or waste, addressing concerns about competition with food crops.
The three vessels currently utilizing these biofuel blends are:
- MV Apia Chief and MV Tonga Chief, both operating on the Pacific Weekly Express (PWX) service. This service offers direct calls from Southeast Asia to Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, New Caledonia, and Fiji.
- MV Kokopo Chief, serving the East Timor Service (ETS), which provides direct service every 10 days between Singapore, Dili, Darwin, and Surabaya.
These vessels currently bunker the B24 biofuel in Singapore en route to the South Pacific, demonstrating a practical implementation of Swire Shipping’s decarbonization roadmap.
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Source: Offshore Energy
