Title: Estimating CO₂ emissions from water transportation of freight in China

Authors: Han Hao; Yong Geng; Xunmin Ou

Addresses: State Key Laboratory of Automotive Safety and Energy, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China; China Automotive Energy Research Center, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China ' School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China ' Institute of Energy, Environment and Economy (3E), Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China; China Automotive Energy Research Center, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China

Abstract: China's water transport sector has experienced a rapid growth over recent years. In this study, we estimated the CO₂ emissions from China's inland waterway, coastal and ocean freight shipping for the period of 2006 to 2012. In order to make sure that existing data can be effectively utilised and data uncertainty can be addressed, we employed three approaches to estimate CO₂ emissions, including freight turnover volume-based approach, engine operation-based approach, and vessel activity-based approach, respectively. Research outcomes show that CO₂ emissions from China's freight shipping increased from 58.7 mt (million ton) in 2006 to 83.5 mt in 2012, with an annual growth rate of 6.1%. Currently, CO₂ emissions from freight shipping accounted for around 12% of CO₂ emissions from transport sector and 1% of the overall CO₂ emissions in China. From the subsector perspective, ocean freight shipping contributed the most to the total CO₂ emissions, with a percentage of 48.2% in 2012. However, CO₂ emissions from inland waterway and coastal freight shipping had higher growth rates and their shares might increase considerably in the long-term. Based upon our research findings, we propose our policy suggestions on mitigating CO₂ emissions from freight shipping, with a special focus on ocean freight shipping.

Keywords: China; water transport; ocean freight shipping; inland waterway freight; coastal freight shipping; GHG emissions; greenhouse gases; emissions estimation; CO2; carbon dioxide; carbon emissions; freight turnover volume; engine operations; vessel activity.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSTL.2015.072682

International Journal of Shipping and Transport Logistics, 2015 Vol.7 No.6, pp.676 - 694

Received: 22 Mar 2014
Accepted: 06 Nov 2014
Published online: 24 Oct 2015 *

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