- EU Container Shipping CO₂ Output Soars Amid Route Disruptions.
- Rerouting Around Africa Adds 18 Million Tons of CO₂ in 2024.
- Container Shipping Hit Hardest as Sector Emissions Rise 10%.
According to the latest data from the EU Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification (MRV), container shipping emissions in the European Union skyrocketed by an astonishing 45% in 2024. This sharp rise is closely tied to vessels rerouting around the Cape of Good Hope, as they steer clear of the Red Sea due to ongoing attacks by Houthi forces, reports Sea Intelligence.
Industry-Wide Emissions Rise, But Container Shipping Hit Hardest
While the overall shipping industry saw a 10% uptick in CO₂ emissions in 2024, the container shipping sector has felt the brunt of this environmental impact. This stark contrast underscores how much the industry relies on access to the Suez Canal.
Hypothetical Emissions Savings Wiped Out by Crisis
Had the Red Sea not been disrupted, container lines were actually on track to cut emissions by 4.4% in 2024, which would have brought total emissions down to around 34.7 million tons. Instead, the reported emissions shot up to a staggering 52.7 million tons.
Houthis’ Impact Equal to Cambodia’s Annual Carbon Footprint
If we consider that the emissions spike is mainly due to rerouting through Africa, this crisis has added roughly 18 million tons of CO₂ emissions in 2024 from container shipping alone. To put that into perspective, that’s equivalent to the entire annual carbon emissions of Cambodia.
Minimal Emissions Impact on Other Shipping Segments
In contrast to container shipping, other maritime sectors haven’t shown any significant increase in emissions for 2024, indicating that the crisis has had a limited operational impact outside of containerised trade.
Conclusion: Crisis Undermines Maritime Climate Goals
The turmoil in the Red Sea has not only disrupted trade routes but has also seriously set back efforts toward maritime decarbonization. The container shipping industry now faces the dual challenge of addressing security threats while also fulfilling its climate responsibilities in an increasingly unpredictable global landscape.
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Source: Sea Intelligence