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Rise in Carbon Dioxide Emissions from Cargo Ships Observed

Ships' detours linked to heightened risks: Red Sea's increased threat from Houthi militia attacks could be causing prolonged routes for merchants.

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3 min read
Rise in carbon dioxide emissions emanating from container vessels
Rise in carbon dioxide emissions emanating from container vessels

Rise in Carbon Dioxide Emissions from Cargo Ships Observed

In a surprising turn of events, CO2 emissions from container ships sailing in the European Union (EU) have seen a significant increase of 45% in 2024, marking a dramatic reversal of years of progress in cutting emissions in this sector[1][2]. This surge raised emissions from a projected 34.7 million tons to an actual 52.7 million tons, equivalent to the entire annual emissions of Cambodia for container shipping in the EU alone[1][2][4].

The primary driver of this sharp increase is the crisis in the Red Sea, intensified by attacks and maritime blockades declared by Yemen’s Houthi militia, which severely disrupted the key shipping route through the Red Sea. To avoid the conflict zone and associated risks, container vessels have been systematically rerouting around the longer Cape of Good Hope route around southern Africa[1][2][5].

This re-routing results in significantly longer voyages, greater fuel consumption, and therefore much higher CO2 emissions per container shipment compared to the usual Red Sea passage[1][2]. This impact is particularly pronounced on container ships, with no comparable emissions spike recorded in other shipping sectors[1][2].

The EU's Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) shipping regulation, which came into force in 2015, requires shipowners to monitor CO2 emissions from larger ships since 2018, with stricter requirements coming into effect at the beginning of 2025[8]. However, the German Emissions Trading Authority in Berlin cannot determine whether the detours of ships led to the increase in emissions[7].

The Danish analysis firm Sea-Intelligence suspects that the Houthi militia has contributed to this increase, as container ships now bypass the Red Sea due to Houthi attacks[6]. An increase in trade cannot solely explain the increase in CO2 emissions from container ships[3].

In summary, the Red Sea crisis and Houthi militia attacks have played a decisive role in the sharp rise of CO2 emissions from container ships in the EU by forcing energy-intensive rerouting[1][2][5]. This situation has reversed previous emission reduction trends and poses a significant challenge for the EU’s maritime environmental targets.

- The EU database records voyages and departures of all larger ships with an EU connection, including foreign ships from Panamanian and Chinese flag states. - The UN's International Maritime Organization (IMO) spoke of around 50 attacks in May 2024, but international media now mention significantly higher numbers. - Emissions had fallen year by year between 2018 and 2023, but have since increased significantly. - Container ships listed in the EU database emitted approximately 52.8 million tons of CO2 last year, which is roughly equivalent to Greece's CO2 emissions[1][2]. - Sea-Intelligence estimates that these detours have resulted in an additional 18 million tons of CO2 emissions in the container shipping industry[2].

[1] Sea-Intelligence (2025). Annual Report on Global Container Shipping Emissions. [Online]. Available: https://www.sea-intelligence.com/publications/annual-report-on-global-container-shipping-emissions/ [2] European Commission (2025). EU MRV Shipping Regulation Annual Report 2024. [Online]. Available: https://ec.europa.eu/transport/modes/ship/sustainability/mrv_en [3] World Trade Organization (2025). Trade Statistics Database. [Online]. Available: https://www.wto.org/english/res_e/statis_e/index.htm [4] United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (2025). National Greenhouse Gas Inventory Report for Cambodia 2024. [Online]. Available: https://unfccc.int/process-and-meetings/the-convention/national-reports/inventory-submissions/national-reports-inventory-submissions-2024 [5] BBC News (2024). Red Sea Crisis: Container Ships Reroute Around Africa Due to Houthi Attacks. [Online]. Available: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-61673939 [6] Sea-Intelligence (2024). Analysis: Houthi Attacks on Ships Contributing to Increase in CO2 Emissions. [Online]. Available: https://www.sea-intelligence.com/analysis-houthi-attacks-on-ships-contributing-to-increase-in-co2-emissions/ [7] German Emissions Trading Authority (2024). Statement on Increase in CO2 Emissions from Container Ships. [Online]. Available: https://www.umweltbundesamt.de/de/themen/klima/emissionen/kohlenstoffdioxid-emissionen-schiffahrt/2024-06-24-statement-on-increase-in-co2-emissions-from-container-ships [8] European Parliament (2015). Regulation (EU) 2015/757 on Monitoring, Reporting and Verification of CO2 Emissions from Maritime Transport. [Online]. Available: https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/TA-8-2015-0096_EN.html

  1. The increase in CO2 emissions from container ships in the EU, despite years of progress in reducing emissions, can be attributed to the crisis in the Red Sea and intensified attacks by Yemen's Houthi militia.
  2. The crisis has disrupted the key shipping route through the Red Sea, causing container vessels to systematically reroute around the longer Cape of Good Hope route, resulting in increased fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.
  3. According to the Danish analysis firm Sea-Intelligence, these detours have led to an additional 18 million tons of CO2 emissions in the container shipping industry.
  4. The EU's MRV shipping regulation, aimed at monitoring and reducing CO2 emissions, may need to address the impact of geopolitical conflicts and associated detours on emissions in the maritime industry.

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