Equal Routes
Equal Routes is a Canadian non-profit that advances shipping decarbonization and ocean health through policy research, IMO technical submissions, and partnerships with Indigenous communities, funded primarily by major climate foundations.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2023
- HeadquartersPerth, Canada
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Equal Routes does
Equal Routes is a Canadian non-profit organization founded in 2023 and headquartered in Perth, Canada, focused on advancing shipping decarbonization, ocean health, and maritime sustainability through policy research and advocacy. The organization conducts evidence-based research, publishes reports, and engages directly with international regulatory bodies — most notably the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the UN Ocean Conference — to influence shipping policy on greenhouse gas emissions, underwater radiated noise, scrubber discharge, biofouling, invasive species, and marine biodiversity. Equal Routes also centers Indigenous communities and rights holders (including Inuit Circumpolar Council Canada, Heiltsuk Tribal Council, and Pacific Island communities) in its advocacy approach, integrating traditional knowledge with scientific evidence under a human-rights and equity framework.
The organization's core products are research publications and policy submissions rather than commercial offerings. Anchor publications include 'Navigating the Future: Bridging Shipping, Biodiversity, and Decarbonization' (introducing the 2030 Shipping Pact For People and Nature, or SPPaN, framework at COP28), 'Charting the Course to a Quiet Ocean' on underwater radiated noise, 'Explosive Truths' on LNG risks for Greenpeace Germany, and the Gulf of California marine mammal impacts study conducted with EERA and UABCS. Equal Routes also produces recurring technical submissions to IMO committees (MEPC, PPR) and policy briefs to Canadian federal bodies such as the Standing Committee on Natural Resources. Distribution is achieved through direct IMO engagement, coalition memberships in the Clean Shipping Coalition, Clean Arctic Alliance, and Maritime Beyond Methane, plus earned media via op-eds in the Vancouver Sun, National Observer, and Hill Times.
Equal Routes operates a grant-funded non-profit revenue model, with disclosed financial support from ClimateWorks Foundation, Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, and Clean Air Fund. The organization also generates ancillary income through commissioned research for other NGOs (e.g., Greenpeace Germany). It employs a small core team of 1-10 (with a broader contributor base of approximately 15-20), including co-founders Andrew Dumbrille and Elissama Menezes, alongside specialists in research, communications, Indigenous relations, legal, and operations. No disclosed revenue figures, commercial pricing, or paid customer relationships are present in the input data, consistent with a non-commercial policy advocacy mandate.
Equal Routes firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Equal Routes
- Legal name
- Equal Routes
- Website
- https://www.equalroutes.ca
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2023
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Equal Routes is a Canadian non-profit that advances shipping decarbonization and ocean health through policy research, IMO technical submissions, and partnerships with Indigenous communities, funded primarily by major climate foundations.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Equal Routes industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Maritime Sustainability Advocacy
- akta.pro primary industry
- Transport Safety & Infrastructure Standards Cooperation (BPADANAK)
Keywords
Where Equal Routes is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Perth
- HQ country
- Canada
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Equal Routes business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Foundation Grants and Support: Equal Routes operates as a nonprofit organization supported by foundation grants from Climate Works Foundation, Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, and Clean Air Fund to conduct policy research and advocacy work on shipping sustainability.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels4 records
Equal Routes product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Equal Routes is a Canadian non-profit organization that conducts independent research and policy advocacy focused on shipping decarbonization, ocean noise pollution, and maritime sustainability. The organization produces research reports, technical submissions to the International Maritime Organization (IMO), and policy briefs addressing underwater noise, biofouling management, LNG export risks, and the rights of Indigenous coastal communities affected by shipping.
Product overview
Equal Routes is a Canadian non-profit advocacy organization (not a traditional product company) focused on shipping sustainability, decarbonization, and ocean health. Their core offerings consist of research publications and policy advocacy products. The primary publications include: the 'Navigating the Future' report (foundational framework released at COP28 introducing the 2030 SPPaN), the 'Charting the Course to a Quiet Ocean' report on underwater radiated noise, 'Explosive Truths' on LNG risks, and the Gulf of California marine mammals study. They also produce technical submissions to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and policy briefs for Canadian government committees. Their work is structured around coalition membership (Clean Shipping Coalition, Clean Arctic Alliance, Maritime Beyond Methane) and centers communities and rights holders to drive change in the maritime shipping sector through evidence-based advocacy and international policy engagement.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Navigating the Future Research report examining how Canada can meet its 2050 net-zero targets through shipping decarbonization, with focus on shore power, green corridors, and regulatory frameworks. Aimed at policymakers, regulators, and shipping sector stakeholders.
- Charting the Course to a Quiet Ocean Research report on reducing underwater noise pollution from shipping, addressing impacts on marine life, particularly endangered whale populations. Produced for the IMO and coastal communities.
- Explosive Truths Investigation examining the impacts of underwater noise pollution and explosive practices on marine ecosystems, particularly orcas and other cetaceans.
- Gulf of California LNG Study Research study examining the risks and impacts of LNG export shipping expansion in the Gulf of California, with focus on Indigenous Yaqui community rights and marine ecosystem threats.
- LNG Export Brief Policy brief addressing the climate and environmental impacts of LNG export shipping, providing analysis for regulators and policy stakeholders.
- IMO Technical Submissions Formal policy and technical submissions filed with the International Maritime Organization Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC), covering underwater noise, biofouling management, and Particularly Sensitive Sea Areas (PSSAs).
- MEPC 84/9 PSSA Submission Technical submission to the IMO MEPC 84 meeting proposing a Particularly Sensitive Sea Area designation, with focus on protections for Indigenous communities and marine ecosystems.
- MEPC 84/9 Underwater Noise Submission Technical submission to IMO MEPC 84 addressing underwater radiated noise from shipping and recommendations for regulatory measures to reduce noise pollution impacts on marine life.
- PPR 13 Biofouling Submission Technical submission to the IMO Pollution Prevention and Response Sub-Committee (PPR 13) addressing biofouling management on ship hulls and its role in invasive species transfer and emissions.
Quantifiable outcome
- Co-authored IMO submissions including MEPC/82/7/10 on shipping intersectionality and MEPC84-9 on underwater radiated noise
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Equal Routes
Customer profileSegments3 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Equal Routes technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Equal Routes partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Clean Shipping CoalitioncoreEqual Routes is a member of the Clean Shipping Coalition, an international association of civil society environmental organizations focused on addressing climate, biodiversity, and ocean impacts of international shipping. The coalition works primarily through policy engagement at the IMO.
- Clean Arctic AlliancecoreEqual Routes is a member of the Clean Arctic Alliance, comprised of 24 not-for-profit organizations campaigning to protect the Arctic ecosystem, wildlife, and Indigenous communities from shipping pollution.
- Maritime Beyond MethanecoreEqual Routes is a member of Maritime Beyond Methane (MARBEM), a global initiative accelerating the shift beyond methane-based marine fuels, working across supply chains of fossil, bio-, and e-LNG to clarify regulations and technologies.
- UN Ocean ConferencecoreEqual Routes is officially accredited as an organization at the UN Ocean Conference, a series of international meetings focused on conservation and sustainable use of ocean and marine resources.
- Inuit Circumpolar Council CanadacoreICC Canada commissioned work from Equal Routes on reduction of underwater radiated noise in the Arctic and Inuit Nunaat. Equal Routes directors were involved in ICC obtaining consultative status at the IMO.
- Heiltsuk Tribal CouncilcoreEqual Routes is supporting the Heiltsuk Tribal Council's engagement and advocacy at the IMO. The Heiltsuk are an Indigenous Nation on the Central Coast of British Columbia committed to preserving cultural heritage and environmental sustainability.
- Energy and Environmental Research Associates (EERA)coreEqual Routes commissioned EERA to conduct a study on the potential impacts of LNG development on marine mammals in the Gulf of California, modeling how projected increases in LNG tanker traffic could affect regional air quality, underwater noise levels, and marine mammal populations.
- Universidad Autónoma de Baja California Sur (UABCS)coreEqual Routes partnered with UABCS for the Gulf of California LNG study, combining academic research with environmental advocacy to assess impacts of LNG tanker traffic on marine ecosystems.
- Conexiones ClimáticasminorConexiones Climáticas provided support for the Equal Routes-commissioned study on LNG impacts in the Gulf of California.
- Oceans NorthcoreOceans North works with Equal Routes on marine climate action, particularly regarding shipping emissions and Arctic protection. Jointly called on Canada to strengthen resolve on shipping emissions at the IMO.
- WWF-CanadacoreWWF-Canada collaborates with Equal Routes on shipping and biodiversity issues, including joint press releases on IMO progress and conservation measures.
- Climate Champions TeamcoreCo-hosted COP28 event with Equal Routes on shipping, ocean health, and biodiversity at the Dubai conference.
- Sustainable Shipping InitiativecoreCo-hosted COP28 event with Equal Routes on shipping decarbonization and ocean health.
- UN FoundationcoreCo-hosted COP28 event with Equal Routes, Climate Champions Team, and Sustainable Shipping Initiative.
- Friends of the Earth InternationalcoreCo-submitted biofouling submission to IMO PPR13 with Pacific Environment and Equal Routes as part of Clean Shipping Coalition.
- Pacific EnvironmentcoreCo-submitted biofouling submission to IMO PPR13 with Friends of the Earth International and Equal Routes.
Scale indicators1 record
Recent moves3 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Equal Routes competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Pacific Environment: Pacific Environment is a transnational environmental advocacy organization that co-submitted the biofouling submission to IMO PPR13 with Equal Routes. It operates in a directly comparable space—international shipping and ocean policy advocacy—with overlapping coalition memberships and target regulatory venues.
- Clean Shipping Coalition: Clean Shipping Coalition is an international association of civil society organizations addressing climate, biodiversity, and ocean impacts of shipping, in which Equal Routes is a member. It is a directly comparable advocacy network operating in the same IMO policy engagement niche.
- Clean Arctic Alliance: Clean Arctic Alliance is a coalition of 24 not-for-profit organizations campaigning to protect the Arctic from shipping pollution, of which Equal Routes is a member. It is a directly comparable peer focused on the same Arctic shipping decarbonization and Indigenous community issues.
- Seas At Risk: Seas At Risk is a European coalition of environmental NGOs working to protect and restore European seas, including through IMO policy engagement on shipping emissions and pollution. It is a directly comparable maritime environmental advocacy peer with overlapping issue focus.
- Stand.earth: Stand.earth is a climate advocacy organization with active shipping decarbonization campaigns, including work on LNG tanker traffic and fossil fuel infrastructure. It is a directly comparable advocacy peer with overlapping Canadian and international shipping policy focus.
Broad incumbents
- Friends of the Earth International: Friends of the Earth International is a large global environmental federation that co-submitted the biofouling submission to IMO PPR13 with Equal Routes. It operates broadly across many environmental issues but has directly comparable shipping and ocean policy advocacy work.
- Oceana: Oceana is the largest international advocacy organization focused exclusively on ocean conservation, with significant shipping emissions and marine biodiversity campaigns. It is a broader incumbent in the same ocean advocacy space, with greater scale and global reach.
- WWF International: WWF is a large global environmental organization with active shipping and ocean programs that have collaborated with Equal Routes on press releases and IMO engagement. It is a broad incumbent operating across many environmental issues, including shipping decarbonization.
- Ocean Conservancy: Ocean Conservancy is a major U.S.-based ocean advocacy organization engaging on shipping pollution, acidification, and biodiversity policy. It is a broader incumbent operating in overlapping ocean and shipping policy spaces with significantly greater scale.
- Environmental Defense Fund: Environmental Defense Fund is a major U.S.-based environmental advocacy organization with work on shipping emissions, ocean acidification, and methane regulation. It is a broad incumbent in the same environmental advocacy space, with established IMO engagement capabilities.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Equal Routes financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Equal Routes leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles13 records
Equal Routes funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Equal Routes M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Equal Routes
What does Equal Routes do?
Equal Routes is a Canadian non-profit organization that conducts independent research and policy advocacy focused on shipping decarbonization, ocean noise pollution, and maritime sustainability. The organization produces research reports, technical submissions to the International Maritime Organization (IMO), and policy briefs addressing underwater noise, biofouling management, LNG export risks, and the rights of Indigenous coastal communities affected by shipping.
Is Equal Routes a public or private company?
Equal Routes is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Equal Routes founded?
Equal Routes was founded in 2023. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Equal Routes based?
Equal Routes is headquartered in Perth, Canada, in the North America region.
How does Equal Routes make money?
One revenue line is on record: foundation Grants and Support.
Who are Equal Routes's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Pacific Environment, Clean Shipping Coalition, Clean Arctic Alliance, Seas At Risk and Stand.earth. Broad incumbents are Friends of the Earth International, Oceana, WWF International, Ocean Conservancy and Environmental Defense Fund.
Does Equal Routes have an API?
No public API is recorded for Equal Routes.
What industry is Equal Routes in?
Equal Routes's product category is Maritime Sustainability Advocacy. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPADANAK, Transport Safety & Infrastructure Standards Cooperation.