- VesselBot’s Q1 2025 report reveals a 19.38% rise in GHG emissions and a notable shift in shipping patterns due to geopolitical tensions.
- Emissions nearly reached 60 million tons, with emission intensity improving slightly due to better vessel utilization.
- Asian ports, particularly Singapore, continue to lead global shipping activity, with no U.S. ports ranking among the top.
- Carriers are gradually returning to the Red Sea route as disruptions stabilize.
In its latest report titled Decoding Maritime Emissions: Assessing GHG Hotspots, Trade Lanes, and Industry Shifts for Q1, 2025, VesselBot sheds light on how global shipping is adapting to ongoing disruptions such as Red Sea security concerns and evolving trade flows. The report draws on direct vessel data to assess emissions, shipping intensity, and port activity amid a volatile maritime landscape.
Emissions Trends and Operational Insights
Compared to Q1 2024, greenhouse gas emissions from global shipping rose by 19.38%, nearing 60 million tons in Q1 2025. This spike is linked to route changes and longer voyages, particularly those avoiding the Red Sea. Despite this, average GHG emission intensity per container improved, dropping from 231.55 to 206.93 g CO₂e/TEU km, reflecting more efficient vessel usage.
Improved Utilization and Volume Growth
Total container throughput rose from 162.53 million TEUs in Q1 2024 to 188.8 million TEUs in Q1 2025. This 16% increase was largely driven by better vessel load factors, which improved from 62% to 68%.
Impact of Red Sea Diversions
Vessels rerouting around Africa due to Red Sea instability contributed to both higher emissions and utilization rates, with some ships achieving >80% capacity. VesselBot noted that 130 Suez Canal transits in early 2025 indicate a cautious return to the Red Sea, with an average vessel size of over 4,100 TEUs.
Asian Ports Lead Global Rankings
Asian ports, particularly Singapore, remain dominant in global shipping activity. Singapore alone recorded over 2,000 port calls in Q1 2025, while no U.S. ports featured among the top global performers. This shift underscores Asia’s continued leadership in container trade and vessel operations.
VesselBot’s Mission and Perspective
Constantine Komodromos, CEO of VesselBot, emphasized their real-time, data-driven approach:
“We continuously gather and analyze vessel-level operational data, offering unmatched insights into emissions, capacity, and global fleet performance.”
He further stated that understanding emissions is now critical for maritime stakeholders to navigate geopolitical and environmental complexities while meeting future global freight demands.
As the shipping industry contends with rerouted trade lanes and rising emissions, VesselBot’s data underscores the importance of operational efficiency and strategic decision-making. With Asian ports surging ahead and carriers cautiously returning to traditional routes, Q1 2025 highlights both the resilience and the environmental challenges shaping maritime trade’s next chapter.
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Source: Container News
