Eco cost of the Red Sea crisis
According to Sea-Intelligence’s latest analysis, the ongoing Red Sea crisis, which forces vessels to extend shipping routes around Africa, is having a significant impact on CO2 emissions. The deviations lengthen sailing routes, potentially increase speeds to maintain schedules, and oblige shipping companies to shift to smaller, less efficient vessels.
Consequently, emissions could rise dramatically, with no feasible mitigation for the negative effects caused by extended distances. Minimum emission increases are projected at 31% and 66% for Asia to North Europe and Mediterranean routes, respectively.
Higher speeds further exacerbate emissions, with a 1 knot increase potentially causing a 14% rise. The deployment of smaller vessels on Asia-Europe routes could see CO2 emissions soar by 141% compared to larger ships, leading to overall rises of 260% to 354% for North Europe and Mediterranean destinations. (pb)