Overall CO2 emissions decrease 1%
According to maritime data provider Marine
Benchmark, global shipping CO2 emissions decreased 1% as the Coronavirus
pandemic curtailed 2020 shipping activity.
CO2 emissions among the 'Big-3' - Tankers,
Bulkers and Containers - actually increased 1.2%, with a 2.4% decline in
Container emissions offset by growth in the Bulker and Tanker sectors. However,
the smaller sectors reversed this growth, with cruise ship emissions
experiencing the greatest contraction - down 45% - and with steep declines in
ferries, roro's and vehicles carriers consistent with the weak demand.
Torbjorn Rydbergh, Marine Benchmark's CEO, said
"The Coronavirus pandemic has had a varied effect on shipping, with
Tankers and Bulkers generally performing well, while other sectors faced
headwinds as consumer demand plummeted. Whilst the overall result is a decrease
in carbon emissions for last year, the effect may be temporary as the current
recovery in global economic demand points to stronger 2021 shipping
activity."
Vessel CO2 emissions are calculated from the
carbon content of the fuel consumed. Marine heavy fuel oil is approximately 86%
carbon, which implies about 3.15 tonnes of CO2 per tonne of fuel consumed.
Since the carbon content of diesel (gas oil) is slightly higher, so too are the
CO2 emissions per tonne of fuel consumed.
Actual vessel fuel consumption depends on a
range a range of factors, but primarily the hull, engine and propeller design,
vessel displacement (draft), speed and fouling, as well as hydrological and
meteorological conditions (including wind, waves and current). Marine
Benchmark’s proprietary algorithms estimate vessel fuel consumption by main and
auxiliary engines, based on these factors, utilising hourly AIS data for all
IMO registered ships spanning over 10-years.
IMS