NYK Line has signed a three-year agreement with Swiss climate tech company Climeworks to purchase a portfolio of carbon dioxide removal (CDR) credits, becoming the first Japanese company to acquire CDR credits in a portfolio format from Climeworks. The credits will be delivered from fiscal year 2026 and will support NYK’s goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
The agreement includes a mix of engineered and nature-based carbon removal technologies, including biochar, bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS), and enhanced rock weathering. These technologies will remove carbon directly from the atmosphere, with the resulting credits applied by NYK to offset its residual emissions, including Scope 1 emissions, which refer to direct emissions from its shipping operations.
While NYK continues to improve energy efficiency and adopt alternative fuels such as LNG, ammonia, and methanol, the company acknowledges that certain emissions from maritime transport are currently unavoidable. The use of high-quality carbon removal credits is therefore seen as a critical measure in bridging this emissions gap.
“This contract demonstrates NYK’s commitment to decarbonising its operations through both emissions reductions and removals,” the company said in a statement. “By securing CDR credits from a trusted provider, NYK is reinforcing its strategy to offset residual emissions as part of its 2050 net-zero roadmap.”
NYK has also published a position paper on the use of CDR credits and plans to continue working with clients and partners to advance initiatives that support decarbonisation across the value chain.
