Sustainable Aviation Fuel and reducing the Carbon Impact of Crew Change Travel

Scope 3 emissions present a complex and often underestimated challenge for the shipping sector. While emissions from ship operations are the largest contributor to the industry’s carbon footprint, aviation associated emissions required for unavoidable crew changes are not insignificant. Almost every rotation, repatriation and mobilisation relies on air travel, making it key to any credible decarbonisation strategy.

ATPI Halo, the Sustainability division of leading global travel services and solutions provider ATPI Marine Travel & ATPI Energy Travel, presents shipping clients with a clear approach through  its measure, reduce, compensate framework. First, emissions from crew change travel are accurately measured. Then, in cooperation with clients (or crewing managers) reduction strategies are highlighted, such as through supplier choice, smarter routing, policy alignment and data-led decision making. Finally, where emissions cannot be avoided, compensation through carbon offsets and/or in-sector reduction mechanisms such as Sustainable Aviation Fuel are offered as practical pathways to immediate impact.

Understanding Sustainable Aviation Fuel

Sustainable Aviation Fuel, commonly referred to as SAF, is a proven alternative to conventional jet fuel. Produced from renewable waste and residue raw materials such as used cooking oils and animal fats, it delivers significant lifecycle greenhouse gas reductions when compared to fossil jet fuel . According to established lifecycle assessment methodologies including CORSIA, using SAF in its neat form can reduce emissions by up to 80 percent over the fuel’s lifecycle.

The environmental benefits extend beyond carbon alone. Scientific research referenced by Neste highlights that fossil jet fuel has a climate impact significantly higher than its carbon emissions alone due to non-CO2 effects. SAF produces lower particulate emissions, resulting in reduced contrail formation and therefore additional climate benefits. Importantly for operators, SAF is a drop-in fuel. It is blended with conventional jet fuel and requires no modification to aircraft engines or airport infrastructure.

Unlike carbon offsetting, which compensates for emissions through investment in high-quality, certified environmentally beneficial projects, SAF enables direct and in-sector emission reduction. In practical terms, it reduces emissions from aviation itself rather than balancing them through external projects post travel. For maritime organisations seeking tangible progress against Scope 3 targets, that distinction is critical.

What ‘Book and Claim’ really means

One of the most important aspects to understand is how SAF is accounted for. Through a Book and Claim model, the physical fuel is blended into existing airport infrastructure and used across multiple airlines. The fuel pipelines are not airline-specific, so SAF purchased by one organisation may ultimately be used by multiple carriers and aircraft  .

This model is often compared to green electricity. When a business purchases renewable electricity, it does not mean those specific electrons power its building. Instead, the purchase ensures renewable energy is supplied to the grid. SAF works in the same way. When a maritime operator invests in SAF through ATPI Halo, the fuel is supplied into the aviation system and the associated emissions reduction is allocated to the buyer .

Crucially, all purchases are recorded in an official SAF registry in the buyer’s name, preventing double counting and mitigating greenwashing risk. Clients can participate through bulk purchases linked to defined greenhouse gas reduction targets or by accruing a contribution per air transaction, building towards a verified registry entry. This makes SAF accessible even to operators who may not have the scale to contract directly with producers.

A practical step towards lower-carbon crew change travel

For maritime leaders balancing operational resilience with sustainability commitments, SAF represents a practical and increasingly cost-effective solution. It integrates seamlessly into existing crew change travel programmes, requires no operational overhaul and delivers direct aviation emission reductions.

Through ATPI Marine Travel and ATPI Halo, operators gain structured access to SAF via an established provider, alongside transparent reporting and governance. In an industry where air travel will remain essential to crew welfare and global mobility, SAF offers a credible route to reduce Scope 3 impact today.

Optimising crew change logistics for operational excellence now also means reducing their environmental footprint.  With the right strategy and the right partner, sustainable crew change travel is no longer a future ambition but a tangible step toward lower-carbon operations

Visit ATPI Halo to start your journey to reduce scope 3 emissions using Sustainable Aviation Fuel.