A new study VesselBot reveals that greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions at major global ports are still rising, despite advances in technology and sustainability initiatives.
The report, titled “Quantifying Port Carbon Footprints: Container Vessel Emissions Analysis in Major Global Terminals,” analyzes emissions from container shipping operations at key ports in Europe, North America, and Asia. It shows that factors like port congestion and operational inefficiencies significantly affect emissions levels.
Among the findings, Shanghai port topped the emissions list with 140,000 tons, more than Singapore, even though it handled fewer vessels. This highlights that emissions are not solely tied to vessel numbers.
U.S. ports experienced particularly high emissions and congestion in early 2025, due to a surge in shipping volumes ahead of new tariffs. Meanwhile, Singapore demonstrated that innovations like Digital Twin technology can help reduce emissions even under heavy traffic.
Additionally, ports around the world are adopting initiatives to reduce their emissions. For instance, earlier this month, the Port of Rotterdam Authority launched Carbonbid, a new sustainability initiative aimed at supporting companies in the port area to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The report emphasizes that elements such as port layout, terminal capacity, vessel dwell times, and idle engine use are major emission drivers. Furthermore, the study underscores the need for smarter, more efficient port operations to reduce environmental impact.
