A reliable and up-to-date ship emission inventory is essential for atmospheric scientists quantifying the impact of shipping and for policy makers implementing regulations and incentives for emission reduction. Ship emissions generated by the merchant fleet are reported to represent a significant contribution to the global anthropogenic emissions.

DNVRI models present and future fuel consumption, emissions and geographical distribution of emissions for shipping using maritime scenarios exploring the major factors expected to determine the development in shipping, most notably GDP development, environmental policy development and pace of technology development.