Splash247: Car carriers step up push for more accurate emissions data

Published by Splash247

A coalition of major global car carrier operators, known as the Global Ro-Ro Community (GRC), has established the GRC Council (GRCC), a body tasked with maintaining and improving the coalition’s GHG accounting methodology and data rules.

ClassNK, which has served as an independent verifier for the GRC since its 2024 launch, was put in charge of drafting the new governance framework. Hiroshi Ochi, general manager of ClassNK’s green certification department, has been elected vice-chair of the GRCC.

GRC brings together ro-ro carriers, verifiers, cargo owners, and other stakeholders representing around 80% of global car carrier capacity. Its aim is to improve the accuracy, transparency and comparability of GHG emissions accounting across the vehicle supply chain, using verified data aligned with ISO and the GLEC Framework.

The GRCC will oversee continuous review of the GRC methodology, manage updates to data-handling rules, and ensure transparent decision-making.

In addition, the continuous improvement of internationally aligned emissions accounting methodologies is expected to enhance the transparency of environmental information and promote decarbonization across the industry.

The group said that this will strengthen confidence in emissions data used by carriers, vehicle manufacturers, and cargo owners for Scope 3 reporting and decarbonisation strategies under regimes such as FuelEU Maritime and IMO GHG measures.

ClassNK will provide verification services for GHG data under the GRC methodology and support the development of emissions accounting based on primary data. It said the move should help carriers communicate environmental performance more effectively and enable shippers and OEMs to manage Scope 3 emissions with greater precision.