The CirclesOfLife project, funded under the EU Horizon Europe program, aims to enhance material circularity and reduce emissions across all non-operational phases of the shipbuilding lifecycle. Central to this initiative is the development of the Shipyard Environmental Performance Index (SEPI), the Ship Lifecycle Passport (SLP), and the Ship Circular Materials Passport (SCMP). The methodology, framework and support tools are designed to enable shipyards in transitioning toward a zero-emission future while aligning with the European Union’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS).
The growing public awareness of the climate change and the increasing demand for greener lifestyles are pushing shipping companies to adopt environmentally friendly vessels. This shift is not only influencing consumer behavior but also raising the need for transparency and proof of sustainability within the maritime industry. This societal need is increasingly translated into policies; strict international regulations, such as the IMO’s Energy Efficiency Design Index, SEEMP, and Carbon Intensity Indicator, along with EU initiatives like the Fit for 55 package and CSRD sustainability reporting, are enforcing reduced emissions and greater environmental accountability from shipyards and shipping companies. These regulations are reshaping market conditions and financing risks, necessitating evidence of future-proof shipping in all it's facets.
Traditionally the focus on impact reduction of shipping is on the operational emissions as a result of fuel and energy consumption. As operational emissions decrease, the focus is shifting towards the lifecycle impacts from production, maintenance, and end-of-life phases. Shipyards are facing increasing complexity in tracking environmental footprints due to the vast number of ship components and materials. The implementation of robust ERP and PLM systems, along with integration with life cycle assessment tools, is essential. However, the current data maturity and system readiness vary widely across European shipyards and there is no unified way of translating shipyard impact to individual ships to allow transparent reporting of non-operational impacts of shipping.
The project aims to redefine shipyard environmental assessment by developing and implementing the Shipyard Environmental Performance Index (SEPI) and Ship Lifecycle Passport (SLP) and the Ship Circular Material Passport (SCMP). This approach will make the environmental impact of all ship lifecycle phases measurable, enabling benchmarking and improvement for European shipyards and ship owners. A consortium of shipyards, technology providers, and NGOs will collaborate to design a robust methodology, supported by smart software that integrates with existing IT systems. The project will test and validate the SEPI, SLP and SCMP concepts in real-world shipyard environments, ensuring wide applicability and acceptance in the maritime sector. NGOs and network organizations will play a key role in promoting adoption across the industry.
