Only one-tenth of carbon emissions come from shipping

Maritime transport is the most important part of the international supply chain. In Europe, 77 percent of its foreign trade and 35 percent of all trade in terms of value between EU member states is transported by sea. Despite the decline in shipping activity in 2020 due to the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, the industry is expected to grow strongly in the coming years in due to increased demand.

Important steps are being taken to make this growth more sustainable and environmentally friendly. According to the European Maritime Transport Environment Report announced by the European Environment Agency and the European Maritime Safety Agency, the share of all greenhouse gas emissions originating from maritime transport in the EU is at the level of 13.5% and is in third place. Road transport has an emissions of 71 percent and aviation 14.4%. So roughly, shipping is only one-tenth of the total.

Eight of the 62 leaks are in Europe

Sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions from ships calling at European ports reached approximately 1.63 million tons in 2019. This figure is expected to decrease further in the coming years due to stricter environmental rules and measures. The amount of oil transported by sea is also increasing rapidly. However, only eight of the 62 oil tanker leakage the past 10 years have occurred in EU waters.

EU is one fifth of the world

Looking at greenhouse gas emissions, one of the main effects on the environment, ships calling at European ports caused 140 million carbon emissions in 2018. This figure corresponds to about 18 percent of worldwide shipping emissions. In terms of air pollution, sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions from ships calling at European ports in 2019 are approximately 1.63 million tons. This figure corresponds to about 16 percent of emissions from global shipping.

Noise spreads twice

Ships create noise that can affect marine species in different ways. In this environmental factor, called underwater noise, it is estimated that the total underwater noise energy accumulated in EU waters was more than doubled between 2014 and 2019. Container ships, cruise ships and tankers produce the highest noise energy emissions from propeller use.

In terms of marine non-native species, overall, the shipping sector has accounted for the largest proportion of non-native species brought into the seas around the EU since 1949. Close to 50 percent of all species and the largest number are in the Mediterranean. A total of 51 species were all classified as high impact which means they could affect ecosystems and native species.

Zero emissions by 2050

DP World is also taking important steps for carbon emission, which is one of the most sensitive issues for the future of the world. DP World reduces its carbon footprint in every link of the supply chain from transportation to port management and warehousing and has set the year 2050 as a target for zero carbon emissions. By 2030, there will be a 28 percent contraction in the carbon footprint.

Renewable energy at the port

DP World Yarımca is taking steps in parallel with global targets. DP World Yarımca implemented all kinds of measures, from equipment in the port to the use of materials in the offices, and made the energy in the port renewable through investment in solar panels. In the first stage, 4% of the annual energy used in the port will be provided from the panels. Thus, 227 thousand 309 kilograms of carbon emissions will be prevented annually. DP World Yarımca has also converted its vehicles into hybrids and purchased 22 vehicles in the first stage. While the annual carbon savings from just one vehicle is 943 kilograms, the amount saved from the total emissions of the fleet is up to 20 thousand 746 kilograms.