Global initiative to drive down CO2 emissions in the supply chain.
Larger, more modern and fuel efficient ships that travel at slower speeds have helped the industry cut CO2 emissions.
The global merchant fleet consists of oil tankers, bulk carriers, general cargo ships, container ships and other vessels, which together account for 10% of CO2 emissions from transportation, according to the International Maritime Organization.
But there is pressure to do more. The International Transport Forum wants to force the industry to cut emissions 50% by 2050 and to eliminate carbon emissions entirely by 2080. It is calling for a carbon tax and rules that would be enforced by the International Maritime Organization.
Agility is one of 43 companies – logistics providers, ocean carriers and retailers – participating in the Clean Cargo Working Group put together by Business for Social Responsibility, a global non-profit. The Clean Cargo Working Group is dedicated to improving the environmental performance of marine container transport.
The group’s tools are the industry standard for measuring and reporting ocean carrier environmental performance on CO2 emissions. Emissions per container-mile were cut 29% from 2009 to 2014 and by 8.4% from 2013 to 2014, the most recent year for which the group has figures. The group’s work lets ocean customers review and compare carriers’ performance, and use emissions data to make their buying decisions. Carriers can track and benchmark their performance and share it with customers. Cas Pouderoyan, Agility’s Senior Vice President for Ocean Product, has been the company point person in the working group. “The strength of the group is its makeup,” he says. “When you’ve got carriers, forwarders and their customers involved, you can agree on realistic steps and targets, and you can improve performance across the entire freight chain.” For more information about the Clean Cargo Working Group please go to: https://www.bsr.org/en/collaboration/grou ps/clean-cargo-working-group
