DB Schenker and CMA CGM Introduce Biofuel in Sea Freight

As the world’s first logistics provider, DB Schenker now offers its customers regular net zero-emission sea transport in the general cargo sector. Together with the French shipping company CMA CGM, the company has signed a purchase agreement for 2,500 tons of biofuel for all LCL (Less-than Container Load) transports and additional FCL (Full Container Load) containers.

(Essen/Marseille) The fuel demand for transporting DB Schenker’s LCL containers will be covered by so-called advanced biofuels in a manner that avoids new greenhouse gas emissions by 100 percent. By over-allocating the biofuel, a net CO2-equivalent emission of zero is achieved. This cooperation allows for the saving of more than 7,000 tons of CO2 equivalents, making it one of the most significant purchases of biofuels in sea freight today. DB Schenker provides more biofuel than is strictly necessary for the transport of the containers to also offset upstream emissions from the production of the fuel, ensuring that all LCL containers are transported in a truly greenhouse gas-neutral manner.

With the environmentally friendly container transport, DB Schenker and CMA CGM are taking a significant step towards decarbonizing sea freight. DB Schenker customers can now book the carbon zero LCL option and receive a certificate for the emissions reduction for their climate balance.

Thorsten Meincke, Board Member for Air and Sea Freight at DB Schenker: “We are very pleased to make this important investment to reduce the CO2 footprint in container sea freight. Operating with biofuel is a significant step towards environmentally friendly supply chains and contributes to our sustainability agenda in sea freight. Our goal at DB Schenker is to be climate neutral by 2040. Together with CMA CGM, we are making ambitious progress here.”

Turnkey Solutions for CO2 Reduction

Olivier Nivoix, Executive Vice President, Lines, CMA CGM: “As a pioneer and leading company in sustainable shipping and logistics, the CMA CGM Group is committed to covering at least 10 percent of its consumption with alternative fuels by 2023. We are already offering our customers a range of turnkey solutions to help them reduce their CO2 footprint. Biofuel is one of the solutions for decarbonizing shipping, and we are excited about the bold partnership we are entering into today with DB Schenker. We continue to invest heavily in research and development to find the energy sources of the future together with industry partners.”

Biofuel Can Be Used Without Adjustments

Biofuel can be integrated into regular sea freight operations without adjustments to infrastructure or the supply chain, making it particularly easy to apply. It is derived from waste materials, such as used cooking oils.

This cooperation once again highlights DB Schenker’s commitment to clean logistics. Similar to DB Schenker’s CO2-free flights using Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), customers can now also make their sea freight transports more climate-friendly.

Photo: © DB Schenker