Sustainability

ESG in Shipping

Environmental, social and governance requirements where they meet operational and commercial decisions, and the reporting that has to stand behind them.

Duration
16 weeks
Modules
8
Delivery
Synchronous virtual, Blended
Training pillar
Sustainability

Purpose

Develop the ability to understand and apply environmental, social and governance frameworks, regulation and best practice in the shipping sector.

Who it is for

Shipowners and operators, ports and terminals, charterers, financiers, insurers, legal and compliance personnel, sustainability practitioners and public officers.

Duration and delivery

16 weeks in the supplied syllabus; proposed distance, blended or instructor-led delivery. MarineLearn must approve contact hours and timetable.

Module matrix

8 modules. Learning outcomes and content as approved.

  • 01Overview of the ESG Landscape

    Learning outcomes

    Define ESG and explain its importance. Identify principal ESG frameworks and stakeholders. Relate the UN SDGs, climate change and Paris Agreement to business. Explain the shift from voluntary initiatives to mandatory compliance.

    Module content

    Origins and terminology of ESG and related concepts. Changing role of business and growing importance of ESG. ESG metrics. UN Sustainable Development Goals. ESG disclosure frameworks. Relationship between voluntary frameworks and regulation.

  • 02Broader Regulatory Environment

    Learning outcomes

    Explain the role of the IMO in regulating shipping. Explain the role of the European Union in shipping regulation. Analyse investor expectations concerning ESG. Identify key non-financial corporate-reporting requirements.

    Module content

    IMO as global rule setter. European Union regulatory influence. Investor perspective on shipping ESG. Relationship between environmental, social and governance factors and sustainability. Non-financial reporting context.

  • 03Shipping ESG Regulations and Policy

    Learning outcomes

    Identify key environmental shipping regulations. Compare relevant national and regional policy approaches. Explain how environmental policy affects shipping and offshore industries.

    Module content

    IMO role and environmental regulation. SOLAS; MARPOL provisions on sulphur oxides, nitrogen oxides and decarbonisation. IMO greenhouse-gas measures, plastics, Ballast Water Convention and Hong Kong Ship Recycling Convention. Decarbonisation policies in the EU, Scandinavia, UK, Asia, US and other regions.

  • 04Climate Change and the Environmental Dimension

    Learning outcomes

    Explain key environmental challenges affecting shipping. Apply the TCFD framework and climate-risk categories. Explain carbon markets and their possible application to shipping. Discuss developments in carbon offsetting.

    Module content

    Environmental challenges for shipping. TCFD framework and recommendations. Physical, transition and liability-related climate risks. Energy transition and financial-system risk. Mandatory TCFD-aligned reporting. Scenario analysis. Carbon markets and offsetting developments.

  • 05Environment and Shipping - Best Practice

    Learning outcomes

    Identify good environmental practices in ship operation. Compare engine designs and alternative low-carbon fuels. Evaluate non-fuel technologies and green ship design. Explain environmental roles of shipyards, charterers, class societies, financiers and associations.

    Module content

    Shipowner and operator practices. Engines and fuels: LNG, methanol, hydrogen and ammonia. Marine-fuels research. Green ship design and non-fuel technology. Vessel recycling. Charterers and classification societies. Poseidon Principles and ship finance. Industry associations.

  • 06Social - The S in ESG

    Learning outcomes

    Identify safety and security regulations relevant to social performance. Explain diversity, equality and inclusion policy and practice. Apply basic communication and stakeholder-engagement approaches.

    Module content

    Meaning of the social dimension and regional variation. Cultural sensitivity and community relations. Working conditions, diversity, equality and inclusion. Health, safety and stakeholder relations. Multicultural shipping workplaces. Crew-crisis lessons, cross-sector learning, benchmarking and practical improvements.

  • 07Governance in Shipping

    Learning outcomes

    Define and compare flag-state types. Explain the role and limits of flag states. Identify governance best practice among maritime participants. Use case studies to evaluate governance choices.

    Module content

    Flag-state definition, role and limitations. Offshore jurisdiction and corporate veil. Flag-state case study. Corporate tax, ownership and incorporation styles. Offshore registries and third-party ship managers. Shipping’s historic reputation. Good-corporate-citizen case studies involving owners, ports, terminals, canals, charterers and associations.

  • 08Greenwashing and the Future of ESG

    Learning outcomes

    Explain concerns, controversies and criticisms relating to ESG. Assess greenwashing risk. Discuss evolving ESG expectations and maritime sustainability goals. Explain the role of cooperation in safe, secure, efficient and environmentally sound shipping.

    Module content

    Greenwashing debate. Critiques of ESG. ESG rating agencies. Transparency and integrity. Tightening legal and regulatory expectations. Green-bond market. Future ESG developments and shipping sustainability.

Assessment

Diagnostic test; module discussions and case analyses; ESG risk or disclosure review; applied organisational project; final assessment.

Certification

Certificate issued after meeting approved attendance, assessment and completion requirements.

01 / The rest of the portfolio

Four more programmes.