Guide for emissions reporting

Hello and welcome to Searoutes, where we're dedicated to helping you navigate the world of carbon emissions reporting. Whether you're already experimented or just starting out, we're here to provide you with the tools you need to make the most of your input data and achieve highly accurate emissions data.

One of the most common questions we receive is about the type of input data required and the resulting output. With the Shipment API, we offer a powerful solution that covers all transport modes, the ability to address multiple legs at once, and the capacity to make assumptions on the most likely itineraries taken in the past.
This enables us to ultimately deliver the most accurate emissions data possible.

However, understanding what you get as a response can be challenging, so let's break it down for you.

Let's start with the basics

Even if you only have minimal information about your shipments, we can work it out and provide you with accurate outputs. Our data is accredited by the GLEC Framework and ISO aligned, no matter the parameters you provide.

To get started, you'll need to provide us with the following required inputs:

• origin (from)
• destination (to)
• type of shipment (e.g., container, parcel, etc.).

We'll use the shortest routes available on the sea, air, road, rail and inland waterways network. Additionally, we rely on the emission factors outlined in the GLEC Framework to calculate your emissions.

The models you'll receive in the output are named sfd-direct-emissionfactors (for sea, road, rail, barge) and gdc-direct-emissionfactors (for air).

Nota bene:

• SFD, short for shortest feasible distance, is a model of distance calculation for transportation by sea, road, rail, or barge. This model focuses on determining the most direct routes available within these transport networks. It considers factors like geographical distances and constraints, available infrastructure, and the specific mode of transport characteristics (draft for ships, for example).
• GDC, which stands for great circle distance, is a model designed for air distances calculation. It considers the shortest path between two points on the surface of a sphere, as the Earth.

Going the extra mile with vessel/aircraft information

If you have vessel or aircraft information available, providing this data can significantly enhance the accuracy of your emissions calculations.

• for sea shipments, input the imo or vessel name,
• for air shipments, provide the aircraftIata or aircraftType.

This data allows us to calculate emissions based on the specific characteristics of the designated vessel or aircraft, taking into account, for air, the phases of air voyage, such as take-off, landing, climbing, descent, and cruising.

The models you'll receive in the output are named sfd-direct-imo (for sea), gdc-direct-icao (for air), and gdc-direct-emissionfactors (for air, if aircraftype is provided and aircraftIata is not).

Carrier details

For sea shipments, if you know the vessel imo or name, we recommend including it in your input data. However, if you don't have this information, don't worry. You can still benefit from our extensive vessel database by providing the carrier information (scac).

In return, you'll receive the average emissions of the calculated itineraries (direct and non direct) based on the schedules of the carriers, and on the characteristics of each vessel of the carrier' services.

In this case, the model returned is named network-portcalls-schedules.

Adding a date in the past

For sea shipments, including the date of your shipment takes your emissions reporting to the next level.

• When you provide a departure date, in addition to the from/to locations, you'll receive emissions data based on past voyages, computed with the most likely itineraries operated by any carrier in the industry.
• If you also include carrier scac information, you'll receive results tailored to that specific carrier's services.
• By adding at least one of the imo involved in the voyage, you'll get the most likely itineraries operated, whether direct and/or with transshipments. This means that even if you lack visibility on the transshipment ports of your past shipments, we can make smart guesses to ensure the utmost accuracy in your emissions data.

The model you'll receive in the output is actual-portcalls-ais.

Additional Parameters

To further refine the accuracy of your emissions report, consider including additional parameters:

• container size containerSizeTypeCode;
• weight*;
• fuelType;
• loadCharacteristics (for rail and road);
• truckSize (for road)
• etc.

Every detail matters and can contribute to more precise emissions calculations.

*Note that in the case of FCL / CONTAINER for sea mode, the weight information is taken into consideration for the intensity, but won't impact the CO2e emissions output. As a matter of fact, the calculation is based on the vessel emissions, weighted by number of dry containers and reefer containers on the vessel. In accordance with the GLEC Framework recommendations, we then apply an average weight of 10 tons per TEU.

We hope this guide clarifies how to make the most of your input data, and why Searoutes stands out in delivering accurate emissions data based on your provided inputs.

Please reach out if you have any questions, recommendations on this guide, or need further assistance. You can reach us at [email protected]. Happy reporting!

Searoutes' team