Introducing Maersk Tankers’ decarbonisation hub: offering a service that cuts emissions all along the value chain

The hub was established in January and is now fully integrated into Maersk Tankers’ service offerings. It draws on the expertise of highly experienced colleagues in Copenhagen, Houston, Mumbai and Singapore as well as leading industry bodies.

“Shipping has a huge role to play in combating climate change; our industry accounts for nearly 3% of the world’s CO2 emissions. The more we can share best practice and promote new solutions, the more we can reduce emissions as an industry,” says Eva Birgitte Bisgaard, Chief Commercial Officer at Maersk Tankers.

Maersk Tankers has made significant efforts to reduce its carbon footprint in recent years. Two examples stand out: having developed ZeroNorth’s digital solution Optimise to improve vessels’ environmental performance; and testing biofuels in partnership with bp. The new decarbonisation hub marks a new front in the company’s climate efforts. 

The hub has close links with leading industry bodies, including the Global Maritime Forum. It draws on vast commercial, operational and digital expertise from in- and outside the company, providing pool partners with the latest industry intelligence and the commercial service offering they need to decarbonise. 

But its remit extends further. “Maersk Tankers is effectively an intermediary between the cargo customers and our pool partners. If we cut the carbon emissions of the shipowners’ vessels, it also decarbonises the supply chain of the cargo customers,” Bisgaard explains, pointing to the oil majors’ focus on cutting ‘scope three’ emissions, which, among other things, stem from the seaborne transportation of cargoes.

“We are working to be able to cut emissions across our value chain, from the point we match the cargo to a vessel, to its loading and transportation, to the point of discharge,” explains Bisgaard. “On every point along this chain there exists a potential to cut emissions. We work on solutions for each step: choosing the right ship for the right trade, fixing it at the right speed, optimising the fuel consumption of voyages, consulting owners on improving the technical equipment on board, and improving emission data reporting are some of many examples we support our partners with.” 

“As we grow our offering and onboard more vessels to our pools, we can support more shipowners with their decarbonisation transitions and make a larger positive impact on the industry.” 

The next year could prove crucial for the industry, with new regulations from the International Maritime Organization and EU expected to come into force in early 2023. With the decarbonisation hub, Maersk Tankers is preparing for these regulations already today, aiming to help shipowners and cargo customers navigate these potentially choppy waters.