Shipping emissions worldwide - statistics & facts
Responsible for transporting billions of tons of goods around the world every year, the shipping industry’s importance to the global economy cannot be overstated. However, it is also a major climate polluter. Accounting for roughly one-tenth of global transportation sector emissions, the industry also contributes to around two percent of annual global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. With emissions from shipping having grown more than 90 percent since 1990, the industry is now under increasing pressure to decarbonize.
Most flag states experienced rising emissions during this period. Liberia, now the world's largest ship registry, saw emissions from vessels registered under its flag grow by almost 40 percent from 2012 to 2022, to 115 MtCO₂. In comparison, Panama, which had previously been the largest flag state, saw emissions decrease by 15 percent. In terms of ship ownership, emissions from Chinese-owned vessels grew by 135 percent from 2012 to 2022, to just over 100 MtCO₂ – the highest emissions among vessel-owning countries.
Shipping emissions are rising
As the volume of shipped goods has increased over the decades, so too have the shipping industry’s impacts on the environment. Between 2012 and 2023, CO₂ emissions from international shipping increased by roughly 15 percent to 706 MtCO₂. This would make the global shipping industry the world’s seventh-largest carbon dioxide emitter if it were a country.Most flag states experienced rising emissions during this period. Liberia, now the world's largest ship registry, saw emissions from vessels registered under its flag grow by almost 40 percent from 2012 to 2022, to 115 MtCO₂. In comparison, Panama, which had previously been the largest flag state, saw emissions decrease by 15 percent. In terms of ship ownership, emissions from Chinese-owned vessels grew by 135 percent from 2012 to 2022, to just over 100 MtCO₂ – the highest emissions among vessel-owning countries.
