International shipping line Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) on Monday (15 June) said it is heavily investing in its fleet and low-carbon technology to support the industry’s transition towards zero carbon future.
MSC added it is acutely aware that international shipping has an impact on the climate and our decision to invest in low-carbon technology is complementary to the company’s broader strategic approach to sustainability.
The company added it operates a modern fleet and is running the biggest fleet investment programme in the industry to further reduce emissions.
MSC noted it also actively exploring and trialling a range of alternative fuels and technologies – pioneering large scale usage of up to 30% biofuel blends for container ships, for example – on top of some significant energy efficiency improvements across its fleet.
To meet the market demand while minimising emissions, MSC said it was the first shipping company to deploy 23K+ TEU, ultra-efficient vessels on some of the world’s busiest trade lanes (incl. the Mediterranean).
In addition, MSC was the first major shipping line in 2019 to offer clients an option to fully compensate the remaining currently unavoidable carbon emissions caused by the transport of their cargo through participating in MSC’s Carbon Neutral Programme.
The company said it fully supports reporting CO2 emissions transparently and precisely in the European Union (EU) Monitoring, Reporting and Verification (MRV) system, as mandated by EU legislation.
A recent analysis by Transport & Environment on shipping emissions in the EU, failed to take a number of operational aspects of MSC’s services fully into account, and thus does not offer a complete assessment of our role and impact in terms of emissions, it noted.
To provide a comprehensive and accurate conclusion, CO2 emissions should be compared on an equal basis, suggested the company.
An analysis focusing on shipping emissions in the EU should only take into account emissions which actually occurred in the geographical area of the EU, if it is going to be compared to other sources limited to the same area.
This is particularly relevant for a global company such as MSC, which operates in all the world’s major shipping lanes.
A complete analysis would show that only 40-45% of the emissions reported by MSC in the MRV were actually in the EU. In addition, a correct analysis would also show that MSC has achieved 2.5% YOY reduction in absolute emissions under the MRV scheme in a single year.
Related: MSC trials alternative bunker fuels and offers clients carbon offsetting for sustainability
Photo credit: Mediterranean Shipping Company
Published: 8 July, 2020
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