DB Schenker, CMA CGM leverage marine biofuel for regular emission-free ocean freight

Photo: CMA CGM

Global logistics firm DB Schenker recently announced it has signed a purchase contract with French container transportation and shipping company CMA CGM for more than 2,500 tons of marine biofuel, which is more fuel than what’s needed to transport all its less-than-container-load (LCL) shipments. As a result of this overallocation, DB Schenker stated it will be able to reach net carbon zero-emissions on a well-to-wake (WTW) basis on the LCL segment.

According to DB Schenker, its customers can book the carbon-zero LCL option with immediate effect and receive a certificate of the emission reduction for their climate balance sheet. “The cooperation has the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by more than 7,000 tons CO2e well-to-wake, which corresponds with at least 100 percent of the WTW emissions of the LCL containers handled with CMA CGM, making it one of the most significant deals in ocean freight logistics,” the company stated.

“Running on biofuel marks another important step towards greener supply chains and pays into our overall sustainability agenda in ocean freight,” said Thorsten Meincke with DB Schenker. “Our goal is to become a sustainability leader of the logistics industry and net carbon-zero by 2040, and we are ambitiously taking the lead here with CMA CGM.”

DB Schenker stated it is the first logistics company to switch its entire LCL volumes with CMA CGM to regular carbon-free production.

“As a pioneer and a leader in sustainable shipping and logistics, the CMA CGM group has pledged that alternative fuels will cover at least 10 percent of its consumption by 2023,” said Olivier Nivoix with CMA CGM Group. “We already offer our customers a range of turnkey solutions to tackle their carbon footprint. Biofuel is one of the solutions to decarbonize shipping, and we are delighted about the bold partnership we are launching today with DB Schenker. CMA CGM continues to invest heavily in research and development alongside its industrial partners to identify the energy sources of the future.”

Biofuel can integrate into regular operations without infrastructure or supply chain adjustments, and it is practical and suitable for everyday use, DB Schenker stated.