Crew change travel adds significant emissions to shipping. Addressing this issue is vital for the industry's sustainability efforts.
Crew change travel is a major but largely unaccounted source of emissions in shipping, as highlighted by Pippa Ganderton of ATPI Halo in her article for Splash.
Shipping's decarbonisation efforts have primarily focused on vessel performance, propulsion, and fuel efficiency. However, Scope 3.6 emissions from the global movement of seafarers for crew changes represent a significant contributor to the industry's climate footprint.
Millions of flights are taken annually to transport crew members between their homes and vessels. Despite the scale of these emissions, they rarely feature in carbon accounting. While Scope 3 emissions are not yet regulated, disclosure regimes and investor expectations are evolving.
Measurement is the first step in addressing this issue. Without accurate data, operators cannot develop effective sustainability strategies. Although options to reduce emissions are limited by vessel schedules and airline availability, incremental gains can be achieved through direct flights or by selecting carriers with stronger sustainability credentials.
Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) presents a potential reduction mechanism, although cost and availability remain significant barriers. Operators may begin with small SAF investments, covering five or ten percent of travel, and scale these efforts over time. Auditors tend to view phased approaches positively, especially when supported by clear reporting.
In cases where reductions are not feasible, compensation strategies can enhance environmental profiles. Blue carbon projects, such as Pakistan's Delta Blue mangrove restoration initiative, have garnered strong engagement from shipping firms, aligning with both ocean health and climate resilience.
As vessel emissions decrease due to advancements in propulsion and fuels, the relative share of crew travel emissions will inevitably grow. Companies that measure, reduce, and compensate for these emissions will be better positioned to meet regulatory and stakeholder demands.
