Total emissions from container shipping in the first 10 months of 2024 are up 13.8% globally compared to 2023 and on track to set a new all-time record for the full year.
The latest data, released and analyzed by Xeneta and Marine Benchmark, shows the increase in emissions in 2024 is primarily a result of conflict in the Red Sea and longer sailing distances around the Cape of Good Hope as well as record high volumes.
There is an irony in the fact that the Red Sea conflict has also brought huge volatility in ocean container shipping rates, meaning tackling carbon emissions drops down the priority list for industry stakeholders at a time when it is breaking records for the wrong reasons.
