RightShip operates a greenhouse gas (GHG) emission rating that is increasingly being used in its ship vetting process.
But the rating system has drawn criticism from owners, which say it is too crude and relies on very basic parameters that do not accurately reflect a vessel’s emissions performance.
Chief executive Martin Crawford-Brunt strongly defends the system, saying it is good enough as an approximation of a ship’s emissions performance and will play a part in reducing emissions.
“Our GHG rating has taken off in terms of being an additional vetting criteria and a couple of forward-leading companies have said they no longer want to take F and G-rated ships,” he said.
“We have had some criticism from the industry and I understand the arguments. But my best answer is that it is a relative score, so it’s consistently imperfect but it still gives you a reasonable measure.”
Crawford-Brunt said the company’s GHG ratings index shows that the emissions performance of the world fleet is gradually getting better and he believes that RightShip’s initiative can contribute to further improvements.
“We’re just holding up the score, but that is driving environmental improvement and sustainability in the right direction,” he added. “This GHG rating has demonstrated it can produce good results. There are arguments to say what is good for the environment is good for business. If you can save on the bunker bill, then that is good business and you’re also getting better access to the market.”
