Ocean Network Express, Freightliner adopt 100% renewable diesel to power UK rail-cargo journeys

Photo: Freightliner

Following a successful six-month pilot, Ocean Network Express U.K. will extend its commitment to use 100 percent hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) in partnership with Freightliner for all cargo transportation via rail, Freightliner announced June 11.

HVO, also known as renewable diesel, is made from raw materials such as vegetable oils, waste-based fat and oil from the food industry.

Switching to HVO can reduce CO2 emissions by up to 90 percent compared to conventional diesel, which is normally used to power freight trains.

The fuel is certified, which means the materials used to create the fuel and their origin are fully verified.

This new initiative will be part of ONE’s intended green-rail offering, where customers can choose to purchase a carbon-reduction certificate that recognizes their actions to lower their carbon footprint.

“ONE U.K., in partnership with Freightliner, is pleased to continue the transportation of our cargo inland using rail powered by HVO100,” said Nick Reay, the head of operations for ONE U.K. “Over our successful six-month pilot period, we calculated that an incredible 488 metric tons of CO2 emissions were saved by switching to this renewable fuel. We thank Freightliner for collaborating with us to make a greener and more sustainable supply chain as ONE continues to find innovative ways to achieve our goal of net zero by 2050.”

Clive Slayford, the commercial director for Freightliner’s intermodal logistics, said, “We are thrilled that ONE has chosen to roll out HVO fuel to power their U.K. rail-cargo journeys. At Freightliner, we are committed to proactively reducing our environmental impact and being a net-zero business. Throughout our longstanding partnership, we have demonstrated our commitment to offering customers a greener alternative using HVO fuel, which drastically reduces carbon emissions compared to diesel and road alternatives.”

After working together since 2018, ONE and Freightliner recently announced their new five-year contract, which, along with a commitment to sustainability, provides customers with seamless intermodal connections from London Gateway and the Port of Southampton to strategic locations across the U.K.

ONE and Freightliner will continue to look for and provide sustainable solutions to the U.K. supply chain, according to Freightliner.

Singapore-based ONE is one of the world’s leading liner-shipping companies. It operates a fleet of over 230 vessels with a capacity exceeding 1.8 million 20-foot equivalent units (TEUs).

Through its extensive global network, ONE provides container-shipping services to over 120 countries.

The company was established by integrating the container-shipping businesses of K Line, MOL and NYK.