Ocean Impact Rating
Our Methodology
Transparency is the foundation of a credible rating. Here is exactly how the Ocean Impact Rating works: what we measure, how we score it, and how we handle disputes.
Core Principles
Evidence-Based
Every score has a source. We cite publicly available data, verified third-party records, company-submitted documentation, and Ocean Guard research. No score is assigned without traceable evidence.
Independent
Sponsorship and ratings are completely separated. A company's financial relationship with Ocean Guard has zero influence on its environmental score. Ratings are never pay-to-play.
Right to Respond
Before publishing a preliminary rating, Ocean Guard notifies the company and provides 30 days to submit corrections, supporting documentation, or additional information.
Quarterly Updates
Ratings are reviewed and updated every quarter. Environmental performance changes — our scores reflect the most current available information.
Trajectory Matters
We show historical scores alongside the current rating. A company improving from 62 to 74 over two years tells a different story than one declining from 80 to 74.
Performance vs. Disclosure
A company is not penalized simply because Ocean Guard cannot obtain information. Where data is insufficient, we report "Not Rated / Insufficient Data" rather than inferring poor performance.
Scoring Rubric — Shipowners
The shipowner rubric uses eight categories totalling 100 points. Future rubrics for vessels, shipyards, ports, and offshore energy operators will share core criteria with industry-specific adjustments.
| Category | Max Points |
|---|---|
Emissions & Energy Efficiency GHG intensity, CII rating, fuel type, decarbonization roadmap and Science Based Targets alignment. | 20 |
Pollution Prevention & Discharges Ballast water management, scrubber compliance, discharge records, and MARPOL adherence. | 20 |
Marine Ecosystem & Wildlife Whale strike avoidance protocols, protected area operations, underwater noise reduction measures. | 15 |
Waste & Plastics Management Onboard waste segregation, single-use plastics reduction, port reception facility utilization. | 10 |
Spill Prevention & Response Historical spill record, contingency planning, response capability, and near-miss reporting culture. | 10 |
Environmental Compliance Port State Control detentions, MARPOL violations, flag state record, and regulatory history. | 10 |
Transparency & Reporting Sustainability reporting quality, third-party verification, CDP disclosure, and data accessibility. | 10 |
Conservation & Restoration Active participation in ocean conservation, reef restoration, or marine protected area programs. | 5 |
| Total | 100 |
Company Categories
Ocean Guard rates companies across ten distinct maritime and marine industry categories. While all companies are scored against the same 100-point rubric, our analysts apply category-specific context when interpreting evidence and assigning scores.
Oil & Gas
Upstream and downstream operators, tanker fleets, and offshore production companies. Evaluated with heightened weight on spill prevention, emissions intensity, and discharge compliance given the elevated environmental risk profile of hydrocarbon operations.
Cargo Vessels
Container lines, bulk carriers, and general cargo operators. Assessment focuses on fleet-wide CII performance, ballast water management, and port state compliance across international trade routes.
Cruise Lines
Passenger cruise operators. Scoring emphasizes waste and plastics management, air emissions in port, underwater noise, and community engagement given the high-volume, high-visibility nature of cruise operations.
Workboats
Offshore support vessels, tugs, and utility craft. Evaluated on operational emissions, spill risk in sensitive coastal and harbor environments, and crew safety standards.
Shipowners
Asset-owning entities that may operate across multiple vessel classes. Rated on fleet-level environmental policy, transparency of reporting, and the aggregate performance of managed vessels.
Vessels
Individual vessels rated independently of their owning entity. Useful for charterers and cargo owners conducting due diligence on specific ships. Score reflects the vessel's own operational record, technical condition, and compliance history.
Shipyards
Newbuild and repair facilities. Evaluated on environmental management of yard operations, hazardous material handling, ship recycling practices, and the green credentials of vessels delivered.
Ports
Port authorities and terminal operators. Scored on shore power availability, dredging and sediment management, stormwater and runoff controls, and programs that incentivize cleaner vessel calls.
Offshore Energy
Offshore wind, tidal, and other marine renewable energy developers and operators. Assessment covers habitat impact, cable and structure footprint, marine mammal protection during construction, and decommissioning planning.
Marine Contractors
Subsea, salvage, dredging, and heavy-lift contractors. Rated on project-level environmental management plans, sediment disturbance controls, underwater noise mitigation, and incident reporting culture.
Classification Tiers
Accepted Data Sources
- IMO Data Collection System (DCS) and GISIS database
- Port State Control inspection records (Paris MOU, Tokyo MOU, USCG)
- Company sustainability reports and CDP disclosures
- RightShip, DNV, Lloyd's Register, and other classification society records
- Company-submitted documentation provided through our review process
- Verified third-party environmental audits
- Ocean Guard independent research and field observations
Right to Respond
Before publishing any preliminary rating, Ocean Guard sends the company a formal notification:
Ocean Guard has completed a preliminary environmental assessment of your organization. We invite you to review the underlying information and provide corrections, supporting documentation, or additional information before the rating is finalized.
Companies have 30 days to respond. Submitted documentation is reviewed and incorporated where it meets our evidence standards. contact form.
Conflicts of Interest
Ocean Guard's rating process is completely independent of its fundraising and sponsorship activities. A company's financial relationship with Ocean Guard, whether as a donor, sponsor, or partner, has no influence on its environmental score. Analysts involved in rating a company disclose any relationships and recuse themselves where a conflict exists.
Legal Disclaimer
Ocean Guard ratings are independent environmental assessments based on publicly available information, verified third-party data, company-submitted documentation, and Ocean Guard research. Ratings are intended to encourage transparency and continuous environmental improvement and should not be interpreted as regulatory determinations or certifications of legal compliance.
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See how global shipowners score across all eight environmental categories.
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