Swire Shipping launched its Voyage to Zero carbon insetting program onboard its MV Apia Chief vessel in Suva last week.
Carbon insetting allows companies to reduce their carbon footprint by investing in emissions reduction or carbon removal projects within their own value chain or sector.
With Voyage to Zero, freight customers can purchase and claim greenhouse gas savings from second-generation biofuel voyages (through a book and claim chain of custody model), even if their cargoes are not transported on the same vessel. Emissions savings are calculated based on comparisons with reference fossil fuels on an energy equivalent basis, using independently verified data.
Swire Shipping chief executive officer Jeremy Sutton said the event marks the launch of a new program and also a review commitment for Swire Shipping in the region.
“At Swire Shipping we are committed to supporting the maritime industry’s journey towards net zero,” he said.
“The launch of Voyage to Zero, and transition to biofuel, are important steps in our decarbonisation strategy that will allow us to provide greater support to customers looking to reduce their emissions.
“Though the Pacific Island nations contribute the least to global emissions, they face some of the gravest consequences from climate change.
“By introducing greener fuels in the South Pacific, we stand united with our Pacific Island partners —sharing in their vision and determination for a resilient, thriving, and sustainable future.”
Swire Shipping made the switch to biofuels for three of its vessels serving the South Pacific in April this year.
They are the Apia Chief and Tonga Chief on the Pacific Weekly Express (PWX) service running direct calls from Southeast Asia to Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, New Caledonia and Fiji, and the Kokopo Chief on the East Timor (ETS) service which connects Singapore, Dili, Darwin, and Surabaya.
In launching the new program, Environment and Climate Change Ministe, Mosese Bulitavu said the Swire Shipping Voyage to Zero was more than a carbon abatement program.
“For the Government of Fiji, Swire Shipping’s commitment is a statement of intent, of leadership and of responsibility,” Mr Bulitavu said.
“Fiji like many of our Pacific neighbours, contributes next to nothing to global emissions and yet we are among the most exposed. We are forced to adapt while others debate, to lead when others hesitate, and to act because inaction is simply not an option for us.
“In that context, Swire Shipping’s action matter. Your investment in biofuel-powered shipping and now in Voyage to Zero, shows that industry can be part of the solution, not just in speeches but in strategies.
“You are helping to prove that sustainable shipping is not just an environmental necessity – it is also economically viable, regionally relevant and politically responsible.”
He said shipping was the artery of our decarbonised future.
“We welcome Swire Shipping’s leadership here because we cannot afford to wait for the prefect global solution before acting locally and regionally.”
Swire Shipping’s Fiji branch employs 58 staff, half of which are female and it also employs over 70 Fijian seafarers including 11 females.
The shipping company has been in operation in Fiji for more than 50 years, its South Pacific Service was the first to service the Fijian market.
