Exploring shipping’s transition to a circular industry presents the findings of an inquiry commissioned by the Sustainable Shipping Initiative (SSI) and authored by circularity and sustainability consultancy 2BHonest aiming to demystify the concept of the circular economy, which has a key role to play in the shipping industry.

This report builds on previous research around the role of circularity in shipping, including SSI’s 2013 Closed Loop Materials Management work, the Circular Shipping Initiative, and other examples both within maritime and in comparable industries such as automotive.

Prepared based on academic knowledge, industry insights, and a range of stakeholder interviews, this report works to explore how circular economy principles can be applied to shipping, raising awareness and understanding among shipping stakeholders through evidence-based research, and setting out the opportunities and barriers across the vessel lifecycle for the transition to a circular shipping industry.

By focusing on steel as the primary component of a vessel, this report is anchored in today’s take-make-waste-recycle model, providing an opportunity to discuss the future of the industry and key levers for change moving forward.