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Carbon Accounting methodology

A standardised and transparent approach

RightShip’s Carbon Accounting methodology has been developed in-line with the European Standard EN16258:2012 – Methodology for calculation and declaration of energy consumption and GHG emissions of transport services (freight and passengers).

This standard sets out the requirements for calculating and reporting energy consumption and GHG emissions in transport services. The methodology considers all vessels (vehicles) used to perform transport services, including the fuel refining and consumption, and loaded and ballast legs.

The calculations are based on the specific characteristics of the transport service, for example the route, vessel particulars, cargo information, fuel type, and associated ballast leg, which lend to more accurate results.

Irrespective of the complexity of the activity – for example, single voyage to multi-load – the standardised and transparent approach ensures the emissions are fully allocated to a vessel's cargo. This ensures companies can assess how the supply chain emissions footprint changes over time, in line with the delivery of products or services

The methodology developed by RightShip has been externally verified by Pangolin Associates Pty Ltd, and incorporated in to RightShip’s Quality Management System.

 

Methodology parameters

To calculate voyage GHG emissions, our Carbon Accounting methodology uses fuel use data, or where this is unavailable, our unique database of vessel specific theoretical emissions profiles and voyage details.

The calculation considers the following parameters:

  • Fuel consumption (where available)
  • Voyage details (load and discharge ports)
  • Emission factors and fuel types
  • Cargo details
  • Vessel capacity
  • Load Factor and Ballast leg (empty distance).

 

We understand that emissions calculations are only as strong as the data behind them. Our approach to emissions reporting allows us to assess the quality of the data inputs by overlaying the fuel use information provided with our vessel specific theoretical emissions calculations, which leads to more robust outcomes.

Scope

Our Carbon Accounting methodology assesses the emissions linked to the operation of vessels as well as the extraction, transportation and refining of fuel used. The total energy chain – commonly referred to as Well-to-Wheel/WTW – is the sum of all operational and upstream figures.

This figure is derived by quantifying the following processes:

  1. Final energy consumption and vessel (vehicle) emissions from cargo transportation, including ballast leg/s (= operation; Tank-to-Wheel/TTW)
  2. Upstream energy consumption and upstream emissions (energy provision, production and distribution; Well-to-Tank/WTT)

 

RightShip’s Carbon Accounting methodology applies to ocean-going, cargo carrying vessels across various cargo types including dry bulk, break bulk, liquefied bulk products, gas products and containerised cargo.

As per the standard in the shipping sector, carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), are the gases most commonly assessed in our Carbon Accounting practice. Therefore, the relevant CO2-equivalent (CO2e) emissions factors have been utilised in the methodology.

The total GHG emissions are expressed in terms of tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalence (CO2-e).