DB Schenker has switched its entire less-than-containerload (LCL) volumes with CMA CGM to regular carbon-free transport. This comes after the company signed a purchase contract for over 2 500 tons of biofuel with CMA CGM.In a statement, DB Schenker said 2 500 tons was more than required to transport all its LCL volumes, and it was on track to reach net carbon zero-emission on a well-to-wake basis in the LCL segment, thanks to this over allocation.By joining forces to offer green container transport, which immediately reduces the environmental footprint of maritime transport, both companies are making a significant step towards decarbonising ocean freight.Since last month, DB Schenker customers have been able to book the carbon-zero LCL option. They 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 CO2 well-to-wake, which corresponds with at least 100% of the WTW emissions of the LCL containers handled with CMA CGM, making it one of the most significant deals in ocean freight logistics.According to Thorsten Meincke, global board member for air & ocean freight at DB Schenker, this is a significant investment in reducing the CO2 footprint in container sea freight. “Running on biofuel marks another important step towards greener supply chains and pays into our overall sustainability agenda in ocean freight,” he said.Biofuel is increasingly being incorporated into shipping operations. It can integrate into regular operations without infrastructure or supply chain adjustments. Produced from waste materials such as used cooking oils, it is considered practical and suitable for everyday use.Olivier Nivoix, executive vice president, lines, CMA CGM Group, said they had pledged that alternative fuels would cover at least 10% of the Group’s consumption by 2023.Eliminating carbon emissions related to customers’ international LCL ocean shipments has been a top priority for the logistics industry. In 2021 DHL Global Forwarding had already started doing this, saying alternative fuels were a key lever to change the fuel mix in ocean freight and ultimately in reducing CO2 emissions.At the time, the logistics giant said its decision to use LCL shipments for its carbon-free shipping initiatives was based on the fact that it enabled the company to address a broader range of shippers across different industries and sectors.
