Sea Freight: Clean Cargo
Calculate sea freight emissions with the Clean Cargo methodology, the industry framework that factors in ship types, fuel consumption, operational profiles, cargo types and trade lanes.
Updated for GLEC v3.2 (2025)
The Clean Cargo average, trade-lane and combined datasets were refreshed for 2025 and harmonized with GLEC's global sea freight dataset. Vessel type and distance-tier logic are unchanged.
Sample requests
Send the first body for a quote before booking. Once the booking is final, send it again with audit set to true.
{
"expand": ["items"],
"items": [{
"audit": false,
"type": "sea_freight",
"external_reference": "test_1",
"origin": "LON",
"destination": "NYC",
"weight_in_tonnes": 5.5,
"cargo_type": "dry",
"energy_scope": "wtw",
"trade_lane": "trans_atlantic",
"methodology": "CLEAN-CARGO"
}]
}audit_for is optional
Pass the ID of an auditable entity when you calculate on behalf of that entity. Otherwise, leave it out.
Defaults
When a field is missing, SQUAKE fills it in before calculating.
| Field | Default | Applies when |
|---|---|---|
cargo_type | reefer | No cargo_type is sent |
energy_scope | wtw | No energy_scope is sent |
Request fields
typestringrequiredsea_freight
methodologystringrequiredCLEAN-CARGO
originstringSQUAKE tries to resolve any format. Ideally, use the Post standard for addresses, UN/LOCODE for ports (DEHAM), or latitude and longitude (+40.712,-74.006).
destinationstringSame formats as origin.
distance_in_kmnumberTakes priority over origin and destination. Without it, SQUAKE resolves the distance from them.
weight_in_tonnesnumberCargo weight in tonnes.
cargo_typeenumdry or reefer. Defaults to reefer.
energy_scopeenumttw or wtw. Defaults to wtw.
trade_laneenumpanama, trans_atlantic, trans_suez, trans_pacific or other.
external_referencestringYour identifier for the item, up to 128 characters, so you can match results to requests. SQUAKE doesn't guarantee the order of items.
auditbooleanSet to true to create immutable audit records for finalised calculations. Must be enabled for your account.
POST /v2/calculations in the API referenceSample response
{
"carbon_quantity": 8312600,
"carbon_unit": "gram",
"items": [{
"carbon_quantity": 8312600,
"carbon_unit": "gram",
"external_reference": "test_1",
"type": "sea_freight",
"methodology": "CLEAN-CARGO",
"distance": 934.0,
"distance_unit": "kilometer",
"algorithm_specifics": {
"algorithm_type": "clean_cargo",
"data": {
"co2e_in_g": 8312600,
"co2e_emissions_wtw_in_g": 8312600,
"co2e_per_tonne_km_in_g": 8.9,
"tonne_km": 934000,
"reporting_year": 2024,
"transportation_mode": "sea_transportation"
}
}
}]
}Bibliography
- Smart Freight Centre (2025). Global Logistics Emissions Council Framework V3.2.
- Towards efficient and zero emissions. Smart Freight Centre. smartfreightcentre.org