EGA joins Sea Cargo Charter and leads the way in sustainable shipping

Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) has become the world's first aluminium producer and the first Middle East company to join the Sea Cargo Charter, a global initiative promoting sustainability in shipping and maritime activities. 

Image: EGA

This move reinforces EGA's commitment to reducing its carbon footprint and aligning with international climate goals.

As the International Energy Agency reported, the global shipping industry accounted for two per cent of anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions in 2022. EGA's decision to join the Sea Cargo Charter is a proactive step in addressing this environmental challenge.

The Sea Cargo Charter provides a global framework for evaluating and disclosing the environmental impact of ship chartering activities to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions from global shipping by 2050. This objective aligns with the targets set by the International Maritime Organization, the UN agency overseeing global shipping regulations.

EGA, recognised as the largest producer of 'premium aluminium' globally and a key industrial player in the UAE, ships approximately 22 million tonnes of aluminium, bauxite, and raw materials worldwide annually. While most of EGA's Scope 3 emissions come from raw material production, the company acknowledges the substantial impact of global shipping on its overall carbon footprint.

Abdulnasser Bin Kalban, CEO of Emirates Global Aluminium, emphasised the importance of aluminium in fostering sustainability and ensuring its production and transportation align with eco-friendly practices. 

Bin Kalban stated, "EGA has committed to reaching net zero by 2050, including from our supply chain. Joining the Sea Cargo Charter will enable us to further improve our performance and achieve our goal to reach net zero from supply chain activities."

Eman Abdalla, Vice Chair of Sea Cargo Charter and Global Operations Director at Cargill, commended EGA's pioneering role in sustainability. 

Abdalla said, "We are pleased to have EGA as the first global aluminium producer and Middle East industrial company to join the Sea Cargo Charter. The journey to more sustainable shipping starts with a commitment to transparency, a unified methodology, and emissions reporting. We hope EGA’s example inspires other participants in the aluminium industry to follow a similar path towards carbon emissions transparency in their supply chain."

In a strategic move towards decarbonisation, EGA had previously entered into an agreement with its shipping partner, "K" Line, in 2022. The collaboration aimed to develop and implement new marine decarbonisation technologies suitable for EGA's bulk cargo shipping routes in the eastern Atlantic Ocean, Mediterranean Sea, and Indian Ocean.

EGA's proactive participation in the Sea Cargo Charter underscores its dedication to sustainable practices and sets a precedent for the aluminium industry, encouraging a collective commitment to environmentally responsible shipping.