Swire Shipping has launched a carbon insetting programme to support freight customers in reducing Scope 3 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions using second-generation biofuels. The ‘Voyage to Zero’ initiative was officially launched on 11 July during a ceremony held aboard the containership MV Apia Chief in Suva, Fiji.
The programme allows customers to claim certified emissions reductions generated from biofuel-powered voyages, even if their cargo is not carried aboard the biofuel-powered vessel. These GHG savings are calculated on an energy-equivalent basis using a fossil fuel comparator and are independently verified in accordance with ISO 17029 and ISO 14065 standards.
Jeremy Sutton, CEO of Swire Shipping, commented: ‘The launch of Voyage to Zero, and transition to biofuel, are important steps in our decarbonisation strategy that will allow us to provide greater support to customers looking to reduce their emissions. Though the Pacific Island nations contribute the least to global emissions, they face some of the gravest consequences. By introducing greener fuels in the South Pacific, we stand united with our Pacific Island partners – sharing in their vision and determination for a resilient, thriving, and sustainable future.’
Three Swire Shipping vessels currently operate on B24 second-generation biofuel blends. The Apia Chief and Tonga Chief operate on the Pacific Weekly Express (PWX) service, which connects Southeast Asia with Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, New Caledonia and Fiji. The Kokopo Chief serves the East Timor Service (ETS), providing a scheduled route between Singapore, Dili, Darwin and Surabaya. All three vessels bunker biofuel in Singapore.
The B24 blends used are derived from waste-origin feedstocks and comply with internationally recognised sustainability standards, including certification by the International Sustainability & Carbon Certification (ISCC) and the Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials (RSB). According to Swire, its B100 fuels achieve a minimum lifecycle GHG reduction of 84 per cent when benchmarked against the European Union Renewable Energy Directive II (RED II) baseline of 94 gCOâ‚‚e/MJ.
Emission reductions associated with these voyages are recorded on Katalist, a non-profit book-and-claim platform developed by the Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping in collaboration with the Rocky Mountain Institute. The platform provides third-party verification, mitigates the risk of double counting, and issues certificates that customers can apply towards their emissions reporting.
Unlike traditional carbon offsetting, which often involves projects external to the shipping supply chain, insetting refers to emissions abatement within the same value chain. In this case, the reductions are directly linked to maritime fuel consumption, enhancing credibility and alignment with sector-specific climate strategies.
