More than 80 percent of global trade is transported by ships, which ESG professionals know translates into an immense carbon footprint. In fact, the maritime industry is responsible for about 3-5 percent of greenhouse gas emissions, and that number could rise to 10-13 percent without intervention, according to EU research.
To meet the International Maritime Organization’s target for the 40 percent reduction of CO2 emissions by 2030, the shipping sector will need a multi-pronged approach, including investment in research, new technologies, and innovation.
Continuous emissions monitoring systems
Emission disclosures are required in a number of mandatory reports for the shipping industry. Companies must include GHG emissions in annual sustainability, CSRD, EEA, EPA and classifications reports, and eventually in SEC filings.
For shipping companies without an emission monitoring system, fuel logs are collected manually and entered into a spreadsheet or software that estimates emissions using a standard conversion ratio (for example, the EPA conversion is 1 gallon of diesel = 22.8 lbs of CO2).
However, the resulting estimates often leave room for inaccuracies, which can result in misleading reports, unattainable targets, regulatory fees, and carbon account charges for shipowners. Increasingly, stakeholders are scrutinizing companies’ transparency and dedication to reduction strategies, and urging businesses to adopt monitoring systems over estimates.
Continuous emissions monitoring (CEM) is the continuous, real-time measurement and recording of pollutants and emissions from industrial sources, such as ships or drilling rigs. These real time measurements minimize potential anomalies and missing data. By measuring actual emissions, companies can assess the effectiveness of cleaner fuel technologies, reduce unnecessary carbon accounting charges, and better align with change management goals.
For example, Cyanergy’s proprietary device logs engine and gas data every minute, allowing shipping companies to eliminate manual emissions calculations. The device includes a modem and interfaces that collect data using standard communication protocols and upload that data to the AWS cloud every five minutes by default—although more frequent upload times are available.
Our system includes real-time logs and customized dashboards for crew members,
ESG personnel, and C-Levels. In addition, the engine and gas data are stored both locally and in the AWS cloud, so in the event of a loss of connectivity, the system automatically uploads the missing data whenever the connectivity is restored.
Continuous emissions monitoring systems like Cyanergy’s are essential for shipping and other industrial companies aiming to meet their GHG reduction goals. As industries face increasing pressure to reduce their carbon footprint and meet ambitious greenhouse gas reduction targets, investing in advanced monitoring solutions becomes imperative. But investing in CEM systems is not just about compliance; it’s also about driving innovation, improving operational efficiency, and contributing to a more sustainable maritime industry.
To learn more about Cyanergy’s continuous emissions monitoring system, reach out today or subscribe to our newsletter below. Our cutting edge technology is easy to install and allows shipping companies to integrate engine and emissions data with other operational systems. Future versions will incorporate machine learning to monitor emissions which will dramatically reduce the capital investment.
