Sea Cargo Charter (SCC) signatories kept their emissions performance broadly stable in 2025 despite a year of geopolitical disruption, shifting trade patterns and regulatory uncertainty, according to the initiative’s annual disclosure report published by Splash247.
The SCC, which now counts 32 signatories representing about 14% of global seaborne trade, reported that signatories were on average 11.6% behind the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) minimum decarbonisation trajectory—a slight improvement from 12.2% a year earlier. Against the more ambitious striving trajectory, performance stood at 18.9% behind compared with 18.1% in 2024.
| Metric | 2024 | 2025 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Behind IMO minimum trajectory | 12.2% | 11.6% | -0.6 pp |
| Behind IMO striving trajectory | 18.1% | 18.9% | +0.8 pp |
| Companies lowering carbon intensity (of 29) | — | 20 | — |
James Lewis, chair of the Sea Cargo Charter and global head of operations at Cargill Ocean Transportation, said the figures were encouraging given the difficult operating environment. “Signatories did not let their decarbonisation efforts slip over what was an incredibly tumultuous period for the sector,” Lewis stated, while warning that maintaining progress would become increasingly difficult without a global regulatory framework capable of creating stronger incentives for emissions reductions.
Operational Measures Dominate
According to the report, operational measures remained the primary tool for cutting emissions. Companies highlighted:
- Speed optimisation
- Weather routing
- Live performance monitoring
- Voyage planning
- Fuel-efficiency improvements
These near-term actions were cited as the most effective available. The report found that operational optimisation remains the most widely adopted decarbonisation pathway among signatories, while interest in low-carbon fuels, energy-efficiency technologies, and wind-assisted propulsion continues to grow.
Transparency and Challenges
Transparency levels remained high: signatories reported an average of 91% of eligible shipping activities, with 13 companies disclosing 100% of their eligible voyages. More than 90% used third-party verification for their reporting.
Participants noted that many factors affecting emissions performance remain outside their direct control. Port congestion, adverse weather, dry-docking schedules, ballast requirements, and changing trading patterns were all cited as obstacles to faster progress. The SCC, launched in 2020 and expanded in 2024 to include shipowners, covers charterers and owners active in the dry bulk and tanker sectors. It is supported by the Global Maritime Forum with technical input from CE Delft, Smart Freight Centre, and Stephenson Harwood.
Implications for Freight Operators
For freight forwarders, logistics managers, and ocean carriers, the SCC report underscores that near-term emissions reductions hinge on operational efficiency. Even amid global turmoil—including route diversions, congestion, and trade shifts—charterers and owners can still improve carbon intensity through data-driven voyage planning and speed management. However, the report concluded that incremental gains alone will not meet long-term climate targets. Deeper decarbonisation will require broader adoption of new technologies, greater collaboration across the maritime value chain, and clearer global regulation.
Watch List
- IMO regulatory developments: The IMO’s revised greenhouse gas strategy targets net-zero around 2050 with steeper interim goals.
- Technology adoption: Uptake of low-carbon fuels, wind-assisted propulsion, and energy-efficiency technologies will determine future progress.
- Supply chain collaboration: Greater coordination among charterers, owners, and ports is needed to address external factors like congestion.
Sources:
