The Department for Transport (DfT) has recently launched a consultation exploring innovative policy solutions to reduce carbon emissions generated by the UK's shipping industry.

Current Minister for Maritime said that consultation outcomes would help shape the DfT’s “core policy agenda for domestic maritime decarbonisation” which will be published in a new Clean Maritime Plan next year.

The Government is asking for views and ideas on accelerating the use of alternative fuels and technologies for shipping. The consultation includes a series of proposed policy interventions, including the coordination of the rollout of low and zero emissions vessels, fuels and infrastructure, as well as new guidance on maritime decarbonisation. It also outlines proposals to encourage public and consumer engagement with maritime decarbonisation efforts and asks stakeholders to explore methods to address barriers to the adoption of new technologies and solutions. 

Deadline for input is Thursday 6th October 2022.

For the UK retail industry to hit net zero for scope 1 emission by 2035, and all emissions by 2040, the fuels used in logistics operations need to be rapidly decarbonised. As part of our Climate Action Roadmap, our signatories are looking into ways of moving to low carbon logistics (Pathway 3). We are currently working with consultants Bearing Point to analyse what carbon data is available for shipping and rail and how the supply chain can reduce it.

We know that product supply chains operate on an international basis and that long distance transportation for retail goods is overwhelmingly by sea freight, using high volume container ships as well as vehicle carriers into the UK from major ports including Calais and Rotterdam. 

Maritime vessels currently produce around 3% of global greenhouse emissions due to the widespread use of ‘bunker fuels’.

Sea freight is generally highly efficient under the ‘tonne kilometre’ metric, reported as 3gCO₂e for fully-laden very large container vessels, to 8gCO₂e for bulk carriers. However, given the volume of goods transported, the emissions from sea freight are significant.

If BRC members have any comments or feedback to share on this consultation, please do get in touch with Nadiya.

Consultation document (with questions) is available below.