An alternative way to finance the decarbonization of shipping that actually works

Image: Klaveness owned CLEANBU, the MV Baru

We are pleased to see that “insetting” is slowly but surely gaining recognition as an alternative to offsetting. By focusing on projects that reduce GHG emissions within shipping, insetting supports the green transition in the sector. It also enables all the participants in the supply chains to collaborate on reducing the overall carbon footprint from ocean freight. ZeroLab by Klaveness is certain that insetting will be an important tool to speed up decarbonization and is pleased to announce its first collaboration in this area.  

Earlier this month, it was announced that MIT and the Smart Freight Centre are developing GHG Accounting Guidelines for the use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). This will facilitate the use of insetting in aviation and help finance the development of sustainable fuel. ZeroLab by Klaveness is encouraged to see that insetting is taking hold as an innovative way to finance the decarbonization of hard-to-abate sectors like shipping and aviation.

Regular offsets blur the real cost of decarbonizing shipping

“Insetting refers to the purchase of emission reduction credits within a company’s relevant value chain. It differs from offsetting in that it drives funding towards the technology we need to develop for shipping to decarbonize by 2050”, says Martin Prokosch, VP and Head of ZeroLab by Klaveness.

He adds: “Regular offsets blur the real cost of decarbonizing shipping and are not at all contributing to making zero-emission shipping a reality”

Shipping is a hard-to-abate sector and the abatement cost per ton CO2-equivalents reduced or avoided is significantly higher than for many other industries. It is likely to be around USD 100 per ton CO2e or higher, even in the medium- to long-term. This is in line with the estimates of USD 1-2 trillion cost of decarbonizing the shipping industry. The IMO’s target of reducing absolute emissions from shipping with 50% by 2050 compared to 2008 implies a reduction in GHG emissions from shipping of ~15 billion tons over the period from 2021 to 2050 compared to the business-as-usual scenario. If around 20% of the 15 billion tons CO2e are realized through insetting, the total market turnover for these credits would be USD 300 billion in total over the next 30 years (using USD 100 per ton CO2e), or on average USD 10 billion per year.

“To achieve a similar impact on CO2e through regular offsets, for example through carbon sequestration, you would have to plant 50 billion tree seedlings and grow each of them for 10 years. Not a bad word about tree seedlings but as a shipping company, we need to focus on accelerating the transition in shipping. Shipping cannot wait until all other sectors have decarbonized; we need to get to grips with our own emissions immediately”, says Martin Prokosch, Head of ZeroLab by Klaveness.

Insets will encourage actual emissions reduction initiatives

Like for regular offsets, insets allow for the emission reductions to happen anywhere in the world, and not just within the physical supply chain of the charterer that wants to contribute. “This mechanism will allow for cost-effective emission reduction initiatives to be realized, irrespective of where they are located, and hence reduce the overall cost of decarbonizing the shipping sector” says Martin Prokosch, Head of ZeroLab by Klaveness.

Through a partnership with Dutch company GoodShipping, Klaveness plans to offer all charterers the opportunity to compensate for their shipping-related emissions through insetting.

“Cargo owners have an important role to play by increasing demand for climate-friendly shipping, and we are confident that our new offering will be well-received by the front-runners”, says Ingrid Kylstad, Sustainability Lead in ZeroLab by Klaveness. “No chain is stronger than its weakest link. That also goes for supply chains: all participants must come together to demand, deliver, finance and support decarbonization”, she adds.

Several inset options for charterers to choose from

The partnership with GoodShipping is a first step towards offering a comprehensive suite of inset options based on the various ways to decarbonize shipping.

“Biofuels decarbonize seaborne supply chains in a cost-effective manner. Our solution is based on the principle of mass-balance, meaning that we facilitate a fuel switch, and the volume of sustainable biofuel that reduces charterers’ emissions will be fueled into a preselected vessel that would have normally run on fossil fuel”, says Janne Erxleben, Business Development Manager at GoodShipping.

“Today’s announcement is another important step in accelerating the energy transition within shipping”, Janne adds. “We applaud Klaveness for its commitment to sustainable shipping and our initiative, which demonstrates to the industry that together we can reduce shipping’s impact on the world.”

“This solution ticks all the right boxes and is available today. Our ambition is to bunker the biofuel on board Klaveness’ owned or operated vessels. Focusing on projects that support actual emissions reductions within shipping is key to speed up the transition the industry needs to go through”, says Head of ZeroLab in Klaveness, Martin Prokosch.

Prokosch adds, “Klaveness Combination Carriers ASA has already bunkered biofuels on the CLEANBU MV Baru. We look forward to expanding the use to other owned and operated vessels by Klaveness.”

Decarbonizing ocean freight requires collaboration between all stakeholders in the chain. Now it’s up to the charterers to make use of this opportunity.  

“The transition to zero-emission shipping is happening right now, and we see that our customers are curious to explore how they can be a partner in the transition. We are excited to launch the cooperation with GoodShipping as it fits well with our ambition to be a provider of resilient, cost-effective and decarbonized ocean freight”, says Michael Jørgensen, Senior Vice President, Head of Dry Bulk. “We are pleased that we now able to offer all our customers the opportunity to significantly reduce their Scope 3 emissions”, he adds.

About ZeroLab by Klaveness

Established in 2021, ZeroLab is a subsidiary of Torvald Klaveness designed to identify and commercialize new business opportunities related to decarbonization of supply chains.

ZeroLab identifies and commercializes business opportunities related to decarbonization of shipping. Any potential business models are in scope, but the company prioritizes solutions that are scalable and digital. ZeroLab develops solutions that create real and traceable impact on reducing greenhouse gas emissions within the shipping industry.

About GoodShipping

GoodShipping is the world’s first sustainable shipping initiative that decarbonises a company’s supply chain by replacing fossil fuels with truly sustainable alternatives. Next to that, GoodShipping participation provides maximum fuel transition impact - as it boosts market and product innovation to adopt sustainable low carbon fuels. An important part of the GoodShipping partnership with GoodFuels is the use of only truly sustainable residual flows, which do not compete with the food supply or lead to deforestation of rainforests. This is done under the supervision of an independent sustainability board with leading NGOs and academics.  Learn more about GoodShipping by visiting goodshipping.com.

Contact

Martin Prokosch, Head of Klaveness ZeroLab
tel: +47 986 20 723

Janne Erxleben, Business Development, GoodShipping
tel. +31 615 05 72 23

For GoodShipping media enquiries, please contact:

Emily Dove
Tel: +44 7711 593576
Email: emily.dove@blue-comms.com