S.Korea’s HMM tops carbon efficiency ranking on key shipping route

South Korea’s largest container line HMM Co. said on Thursday it had the lowest carbon emission intensity on East Asia–US West Coast route in the fourth quarter of 2022, according to a survey by Norway’s Xeneta.

HMM’s carbon emission index (CEI) was 70.2, which was 27% lower than the average of 96.2 for 15 shipping companies surveyed by Xeneta and its partner, Marine Benchmark, a Swedish marine industry analysis company.

The index measures the amount of carbon dioxide emitted per ton-mile of cargo transported by a ship. Xeneta said HMM achieved a higher loading rate than the market average while emitting less carbon on its main route.

HMM has been pursuing eco-friendly initiatives as part of its environmental, social and governance (ESG) strategy. Last month, it ordered nine methanol-powered ships and signed an agreement with five companies for methanol production and supply. It also opened a comprehensive ship situation room to collect smart ship data in real time and minimize the emission of harmful substances.

Write to Ik-Hwan Kim at lovepen@hankyung.com