Summary
Details
- Global
Compliance is not legally mandated but is contractually enforced for suppliers working with Maersk.
Exceptions may apply in:
Regions with limited availability of low-carbon fuels.
Early-stage suppliers transitioning to compliance.
However, suppliers are expected to demonstrate clear decarbonisation trajectories.
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What’s Required
The Maersk Supplier Decarbonization and Green Shipping Standards represent a multi-layered supply chain governance framework designed to align logistics ecosystems with Maersk’s net-zero target by 2040. Unlike vessel-focused regulation such as IMO rules, this framework operates across fuel suppliers, transport partners, port operators and service providers, creating a system-wide decarbonisation architecture.
The framework combines contractual enforcement, emissions data requirements, fuel standards and operational alignment, effectively extending climate governance into the broader logistics value chain.
1. Mandatory Emissions Measurement and Disclosure
Suppliers and logistics partners must measure and report greenhouse gas emissions associated with services provided to Maersk.
This includes:
Scope 1 emissions from transport operations (shipping, trucking, warehousing).
Scope 2 emissions from energy use in logistics facilities.
Relevant Scope 3 emissions, particularly upstream fuel production and subcontracted transport.
Suppliers must provide:
Activity-based emissions data (fuel consumption, distance travelled, cargo volume).
Emissions intensity metrics (for example, CO2 per tonne-kilometre).
Reporting must align with recognised methodologies such as:
Greenhouse Gas Protocol.
Sector-specific logistics emissions frameworks.
Data must be sufficiently granular to support route-level and service-level emissions tracking.
2. Low-Carbon Fuel Adoption Requirements
A central requirement is the transition toward low- and zero-emission fuels.
Suppliers must:
Demonstrate progressive adoption of fuels such as green methanol, biofuels or other low-carbon alternatives.
Provide lifecycle emissions data for fuels used.
Avoid reliance on fuels that do not meet long-term decarbonisation criteria.
Fuel selection must consider:
Well-to-wake emissions.
Availability and scalability.
Compatibility with vessel and infrastructure constraints.
This creates a fuel qualification and performance requirement, similar to emerging regulatory fuel standards.
3. Alignment with Green Shipping Products and Corridors
Suppliers participating in Maersk’s logistics network must align with:
Green shipping products (for example, low-emissions transport options offered to customers).
Emerging green shipping corridors, where infrastructure and fuel supply are coordinated to enable low-emission transport routes.
This requires:
Operational alignment with corridor requirements.
Coordination with port authorities and fuel suppliers.
Participation in pilot projects and innovation initiatives.
4. Data Integration and Digital Monitoring Systems
Suppliers must integrate emissions data into digital logistics platforms, enabling:
Real-time or near-real-time tracking of emissions.
Integration with customer-facing emissions reporting tools.
Verification of emissions performance across transport chains.
This requires the development of:
Data collection systems across fleets and facilities.
Interoperability with Maersk’s digital infrastructure.
Standardised reporting formats.
Data integrity is critical, as emissions data is increasingly used in customer contracts and regulatory disclosures.
5. Supplier Target Setting and Performance Alignment
Strategic suppliers are expected to:
Set emissions reduction targets aligned with net-zero pathways.
Demonstrate progress toward decarbonisation milestones.
Integrate emissions reduction into operational planning.
Performance is evaluated through:
Emissions intensity improvements.
Adoption of low-carbon fuels.
Data transparency and reporting quality.
6. Procurement and Commercial Integration
Maersk integrates climate performance into procurement decisions.
Suppliers are assessed based on:
Emissions performance.
Alignment with decarbonization pathways.
Ability to support low-carbon logistics services.
This influences:
Contract awards.
Long-term partnerships.
Access to premium “green logistics” service segments.
This creates direct commercial consequences for emissions performance.
7. Multi-Tier Logistics and Subcontractor Governance
Suppliers must extend requirements to subcontractors, including:
Third-party transport providers.
Fuel suppliers.
Logistics service providers.
This includes:
Collection of emissions data from subcontractors.
Ensuring alignment with fuel and operational standards.
Managing compliance across complex logistics networks.
This creates a distributed compliance system, similar to other large-scale supply chain frameworks.
8. Port and Infrastructure Alignment
The framework extends to port and infrastructure partners, requiring:
Support for alternative fuel bunkering (such as methanol).
Electrification of port operations where feasible.
Reduction of emissions from handling equipment and logistics infrastructure.
This integrates decarbonization into physical infrastructure planning, not just operations.
9. Integration with Customer-Facing Carbon Accounting
Supplier emissions data feeds into Maersk’s customer offerings, including:
Carbon footprint reporting for shipments.
Low-emission logistics products.
Scope 3 reporting for corporate clients.
This requires high levels of data accuracy and consistency, as emissions data becomes part of commercial transactions.
10. Alignment with Regulatory and Industry Frameworks
The framework is designed to align with:
IMO decarbonisation regulations.
EU maritime and fuel standards.
Industry initiatives, such as:
Sustainable Shipping Initiative
Suppliers must ensure consistency between Maersk requirements and regulatory obligations.
Important Deadlines
Framework development: early 2020s
Key milestones:
2030: significant emissions reductions across logistics operations
2040: net-zero emissions across Maersk operations and value chain
Reporting cadence: ongoing with periodic updates
Current Status
The framework is actively implemented across Maersk’s global supplier and logistics network.
It is evolving alongside Maersk’s investments in low-carbon fuels and green shipping technologies.
It is increasingly influential as customers demand low-emission logistics services.
Penalties for Non-Compliance
Non-compliance may result in:
Exclusion from contracts or reduced business volumes.
Loss of access to green logistics service segments.
Lower supplier performance ratings.
Suppliers may also face indirect impacts such as reduced competitiveness in ESG-sensitive markets.
Examples of Known Violations
Common challenges include:
Limited availability of scalable low-carbon fuels.
Incomplete emissions data across subcontracted transport.
Misalignment between fuel claims and lifecycle emissions performance.
Operational constraints in implementing green shipping corridors.
These issues highlight the complexity of logistics decarbonisation.
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