A RECENT study published by the Global Shipping Business Network (GSBN) highlights the potential for significant carbon reductions in the shipping sector through the adoption of digital processes, reports Rotterdam's Offshore Energy.

Commissioned by GSBN, the study conducted by Sia Partners, a global consultancy, titled "Impact of Digitalization in Driving Decarbonization in Shipping," presents detailed models based on real cases to quantify the opportunities associated with digitalized documentation processes in a sector crucial to global trade.

The study emphasizes specific measures such as electronic Bills of Lading (eBL) and the implementation of paperless solutions during cargo release processes as critical avenues for reducing carbon emissions.

Shipping contributes three per cent of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

Although shipping is more carbon-efficient than air transport, urgent efforts towards decarbonization are imperative as international regulatory bodies aim for net-zero emissions by 2050.

According to GSBN, a major obstacle to achieving decarbonization is the industry's continued reliance on paper documents for legal and regulatory purposes, which significantly increases its carbon footprint.

The study highlights the importance of establishing a universally adopted digital platform to address interoperability challenges, thereby facilitating efforts to mitigate carbon emissions within the shipping industry.