Shipping emissions in Europe - statistics & facts
Maritime transportation plays a key role in Europe’s economy, moving billions of euros worth of imports and exports between EU member states and beyond every year. However, the sector is a big emitter of greenhouse gases (GHG). In 2022, EU shipping CO₂ emissions climbed to a three-year high of 128.2 million metric tons (MtCO₂). International shipping represents roughly 3.5 percent of the EU’s total GHG emissions and contributes 15 percent of the bloc's total transportation CO₂ emissions.
As well as GHGs, cruise ships also release large amounts of air pollutants such as black carbon and sulfur dioxide (SOx). In 2022, Barcelona had the highest exposure to cruise ship SOx emissions in Europe, followed by Civitavecchia in Italy. Venice had previously held the top spot, but a 2021 ban on large ships entering the city has reduced cruise ship air pollutant levels by 80 percent.
Leading sources of shipping emissions
Container ships were the most polluting vessel type traveling within EU territorial waters in 2022, emitting 37 MtCO₂. Nevertheless, container ship emissions were approximately eight percent below 2021 levels that year. In contrast, LNG carrier emissions grew almost 60 percent year-on-year in 2022. This significant growth was due to the rising number of seaborne LNG shipments arriving in Europe in the wake of decreased pipeline gas exports from Russia after the invasion of Ukraine. Cruise ships also observed big rises in emissions in 2022, continuing to rebound from the COVID-19-induced slump in 2020. In fact, the most carbon-polluting ship visiting European ports throughout 2022 was the MSC Grandiosa cruise ship.As well as GHGs, cruise ships also release large amounts of air pollutants such as black carbon and sulfur dioxide (SOx). In 2022, Barcelona had the highest exposure to cruise ship SOx emissions in Europe, followed by Civitavecchia in Italy. Venice had previously held the top spot, but a 2021 ban on large ships entering the city has reduced cruise ship air pollutant levels by 80 percent.
