But according to the first Disclosure Report released earlier today., there was a wide range of results, extending from plus 46.2 to minus 26.1.

However, in the introduction to the Report, Cargill’s Jan Dieleman and Trafigura’s Rasmus Bach Nielsen, respectively Chair and Vice Chair of the Sea Cargo Charter Association, urged readers not to see the first Report as a league table. All signatories have very different profiles and activities, they noted, and comparisons are thus difficult. “What we do share is our belief that there is a positive feedback loop between transparency and action and our intention to limit adverse environmental impact,” they said.

Together, the 25 companies comprise major charterers and customers of shipping services in energy, agriculture, mining, and commodity trading. They account for about 15% of total bulk cargo shipped by sea last year.

Sea Cargo Charter’s membership has now grown to 33 but only those who signed up prior to September 2021 have reported in the first Disclosure Report. The organisation, which describes itself as a global framework for aligning ship chartering activities with society’s goals, is actively scouting for more members.

In a statement, Dieleman said: “Thanks to unprecedented levels of data sharing, we better understand the climate impacts of our business activities at a much more granular level, and can back up operational and strategic decision-making with real data. Signatories of the Sea Cargo Charter have diverse profiles and activities and this report holds us accountable to our targets and allows us all to play our part in addressing the environmental impacts of global maritime trade on people and the planet.”