Underwater Noise Credits: Will Acoustic Offsets Become the Next Maritime Carbon Market?

Acoustics

January 29, 2026

You have probably heard about underwater noise in the maritime industry that is generated by commercial shipping, offshore constructions, and mining activities…
As most marine species rely on noise to communicate and survive, underwater noise credits have become strategic systems to protect sensitive marine species from noise pollution effects.
Are underwater noise credits the future of maritime pollution control?

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Why Underwater Noise Matters

Underwater noise pollution, primarily caused by commercial shipping, offshore construction, and seabed mining, poses a serious risk to marine ecosystems. Unlike humans, many marine species rely on sound — not sight — to survive, especially in deep waters beyond 200 meters.

Anthropogenic noise travels long distances, disrupting essential behaviors like communication, mating, migration, and hunting
Marine species such as whales, dolphins, and fish depend on acoustic cues to navigate, find food, and avoid predators
With rising concern, underwater noise credits are emerging as a potential solution to regulate and reduce ocean sound pollution

Understanding Underwater Noise Credits and Their Impact on Marine Ecosystems

As underwater noise levels continue to rise due to commercial shipping, offshore construction, and mining, marine species face increasing threats to their survival. Most of these organisms rely on sound—not sight—for critical life functions such as communication, navigation, spawning, and hunting. To address this growing challenge, underwater noise credits have emerged as an innovative solution, encouraging companies to reduce their acoustic footprint by adopting quieter technologies and operations. Inspired by carbon markets, these credits aim to protect marine biodiversity and preserve vital habitats such as seagrasses and mangroves.

What Are Underwater Noise Credits?

Inspired by carbon markets, these credits reward companies that reduce their underwater sound emissions.

Purchased through regulators or credit systems
Companies that emit less noise can sell their surplus credits
Encourages investment in quieter technologies and operations
Based on data from hydrophones and blue tech systems

How Sound Affects Marine Species

Many marine organisms rely on acoustic signals for survival — and are now under threat.

Whales and dolphins use echolocation to communicate and hunt

Fish like cod or herring use sound for spawning and predator detection

Invertebrates (e.g., squid, shrimp) suffer sensory damage from vibrations

Sea turtles rely on sound cues for navigation and feeding

Affected habitats include mangroves, seagrasses, and salt marshes — vital for blue carbon capture

Carbon vs. Acoustic Credits

Both aim to reduce environmental impact, but carbon credits are supported by mature global frameworks, while underwater noise credits are still emerging and lack standardized regulation.

Carbon Credits

Carbon credits: well-established under Kyoto Protocol, Paris Agreement & Carbon credits target CO₂

Frequency-based detection systems

Acoustic credits: emerging, no formal international agreement yet & Acoustic credits reduce sound pollution

Valued for different outcomes, but both encourage sustainability

Challenges and Market Potential

Acoustic offsets show strong potential for ocean sustainability, but several barriers remain before they can be deployed at scale — including data standardization, regulatory frameworks, and reliable monitoring systems.

Blue tech like hydrophones and AI enable real-time monitoring

Difficulties in standardizing measurement and verification (MRV)

No formal pollution permit system for underwater noise

Could become a key tool in ocean-based ESG strategies

However, growing awareness of underwater noise pollution, combined with advances in blue technology and passive acoustic monitoring, is laying the groundwork for future integration into marine environmental policies and ESG strategies

Technologies Powering Acoustic Offsets

As underwater noise pollution becomes a recognized environmental challenge, new technologies are emerging to help monitor, map, and reduce the acoustic impact of maritime activities. These innovations form the foundation of underwater noise offset systems by enabling accurate data collection, real-time analysis, and sound mitigation strategies.

Passive Acoustic Monitoring (PAM)

PAM systems use underwater microphones, known as hydrophones, to continuously detect and record both natural and human-made underwater sounds.

Identify marine mammal vocalizations and vessel noise

Enable long-term ecological monitoring and impact assessment

Support regulatory compliance and biodiversity protection

Real-Time Ocean Noise Mapping

By integrating hydrophones, satellite data, and artificial intelligence, real-time noise mapping systems provide dynamic visualizations of ocean soundscapes.

Help protect sensitive habitats by enabling proactive decision-making

Produces live “noise maps” to adjust maritime operations on the fly

Monitor shipping activity, offshore construction, and animal presence

Generate live “noise maps” to inform maritime operations

Ship Design Innovations

Engineering advancements are making vessels quieter and more sustainable, directly contributing to the reduction of underwater radiated noise (URN).

Air Lubrication Systems: Inject air bubbles beneath the hull to reduce drag and acoustic footprint
Low-noise gears/engine mounts: Minimize mechanical vibrations from engines and propellers
Onboard monitoring: Measure and manage noise emissions in real time during operations
Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS): Use fiber-optic cables to detect acoustic signals over large areas without harming marine life

Aligning with Climate and ESG Strategies

As the maritime industry faces increasing pressure to reduce its environmental footprint, acoustic offsets offer a complementary approach to existing sustainability and climate mitigation efforts. By targeting underwater noise pollution, these offsets can enhance broader Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) initiatives and contribute meaningfully to ocean health and biodiversity protection.

Complement blue carbon initiatives like seagrass restoration

Acoustic offsets can be integrated into blue carbon strategies such as seagrass meadow restoration, mangrove conservation, and salt marsh protection — ecosystems that both absorb CO₂ and are highly sensitive to acoustic disturbances.

Support for environmental compliance and corporate responsibility

By adopting underwater noise reduction targets, maritime operators can align with regulatory frameworks and demonstrate proactive compliance with evolving marine protection standards.

Synergy with carbon markets

Acoustic offsets could be positioned alongside carbon offsets within emissions trading systems, creating a more holistic approach to maritime environmental accounting — one that addresses both carbon output and acoustic impact.

Enhancing biodiversity and ocean resilience

Reducing anthropogenic noise directly benefits marine life, particularly species that rely on sound for communication, navigation, and reproduction. Healthier ecosystems are more capable of supporting fisheries, storing carbon, and resisting climate stressors.

By bridging the gap between technology, regulation, and conservation, acoustic offsets can become a key pillar in the maritime sector’s journey toward sustainable, low-impact operations — reinforcing both climate commitments and ESG transparency.

Sinay's Role in Ocean Sound Monitoring

Sinay provides real-time solutions to track and reduce underwater noise.

PAM buoys operate 24/7, with broadband hydrophones for full-frequency detection
Data streamed to a cloud platform and analyzed with AI
Dashboards offer alerts, noise mapping, and compliance tracking
Tailored for all project phases: baseline, construction, operation

A New Path for Ocean Sustainability

Underwater noise credits are poised to become a key environmental tool — much like carbon credits transformed climate policy. By pricing and reducing acoustic pollution, they offer a market-based mechanism to protect marine biodiversity and improve ocean health.

Why Acoustic Offsets Matter for the Future:

Represent a new frontier in ocean sustainability and conservation

Incentivize innovation in quieter vessel and port technologies

Support marine species recovery by reducing harmful sound levels

Align with ESG goals and global climate strategies

Potential to evolve into a regulated, tradable environmental asset

What’s Needed for Global Adoption:

To scale acoustic offsets globally, several foundational elements must be in place to ensure credibility, effectiveness, and long-term impact

Standardized URN measurement and acoustic MRV protocols

Regulatory frameworks to define credit issuance and trading

Transparent, science-based validation methods

Strong support from maritime industry and international bodies

FAQ

Still have questions?

How far can ship noise travel underwater?

Ship noise can travel remarkable distances underwater—up to 100 miles or more in ideal conditions. Sound travels nearly four times faster in water than in air, and low-frequency sounds from large vessels can propagate across entire ocean basins under certain conditions.

Do noise reduction technologies affect vessel performance?

When properly implemented, noise reduction technologies often improve vessel performance. Optimized propeller designs and hull forms that reduce noise typically also reduce fuel consumption by improving hydrodynamic efficiency. The initial investment in noise reduction technology can result in operational cost savings over time.

Are there mandatory regulations for underwater noise?

Currently, most underwater noise regulations are voluntary guidelines rather than mandatory requirements. However, this is changing rapidly. The EU’s Marine Strategy Framework Directive requires member states to address underwater noise, and several countries are developing mandatory standards. The IMO continues to work on international guidelines that may become mandatory in the future.

What is the cost of implementing noise reduction solutions?

Implementation costs vary widely depending on vessel type, size, and the specific technologies adopted. For new builds, incorporating noise reduction from the design phase typically adds 3-8% to construction costs. Retrofitting existing vessels is more expensive, with costs ranging from $500,000 for basic modifications to several million dollars for comprehensive solutions on large vessels.

Which marine species are most affected by underwater noise?

Marine mammals, particularly whales and dolphins, are most severely affected due to their reliance on sound for communication, navigation, and finding food. However, research shows that fish, invertebrates, and even zooplankton are impacted by anthropogenic noise. Species that communicate in the same frequency ranges as vessel noise (typically 5-400 Hz) experience the greatest disruption.

How is underwater noise measured and monitored?

Underwater noise is measured using hydrophones—specialized underwater microphones that detect acoustic pressure. Modern monitoring systems use arrays of hydrophones connected to data processing systems that analyze sound levels, frequencies, and sources. Advanced systems like Sinay’s PAM platform use AI to identify specific noise sources and marine species in real-time.