• Friday, March 29, 2024
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Dutch multinationals partner Maersk Line to achieve maritime bio-fuel pilot solution

Maersk Line

Six Dutch multinationals including FrieslandCampina, Heineken, Philips, DSM, Shell and Unilever, have agreed to join forces with A.P. Moller – Maersk to take a decisive step towards the decarbonisation of ocean shipping with aim of preserving the climate.

The six Dutch multinationals, which forms the membership of the Dutch Sustainable Growth Coalition (DSGC), agreed with Maersk that tackling harmful emissions related to shipping is urgently needed, and that cross-industry collaboration is required to develop, test and implement new solutions.

According to the agreement, DSGC members, many of which are customers to Maersk, played critical role in initiating and sponsoring the pilot solution, which Shell, acted as the fuel supplier, and Maersk played role of an operating partner.

A pilot, using up to 20 percent sustainable second-generation bio-fuels on a large triple-E ocean vessel, will sail 25.000 nautical miles from Rotterdam to Shanghai and back on bio-fuel blends alone (a world’s first at this scale), thereby, saving 1.5 million kilograms CO2 and 20.000 kilograms of sulphur.

Experts believed that sustainably sourced second-generation bio-fuels are just one possible solution for the decarbonisation of ocean shipping. Also, longer term, breakthroughs in fuel and technical development (e-fuels) and the investment into commercial supply chains are needed to achieve significant emissions reductions.

“DSGC companies join in action to contribute to the United Nations Social Development Goals (SDGs). With this initiative, we focus on Climate Action (SDG13). We have taken the initiative to partner with A.P. Moller-Maersk on this important effort,” says Jan Peter Balkenende, chair of the DSGC.

He states: “This pilot testing bio-fuel on a cross ocean shipping lane, marks an important step. However, many more innovations are urgently needed. These can only be successfully developed, tested and implemented in industry collaborations like this.”

Søren Toft, chief operating officer of A.P. Moller – Maersk said there is need for big breakthroughs in the next 10 years in order to reach net zero CO2 target by 2050.

“Maersk cannot do this alone. That is why this collaboration with DSGC and its members is such an important step in identifying and bringing low carbon solutions to life. It laid the foundation for how cross-industry partners can work together to take steps towards a more sustainable future. We welcome others to join in our efforts, as this journey is just beginning,” Toft said.

Toft added “Bio-fuels are one of the viable solutions that can be implemented in the short and medium term. Through this pilot, we aim to learn more about using bio-fuels in general, and to understand the possibilities around increasing its usage in a sustainable and economical way.”

Shipping accounts for 90 percent of transported goods and 3 percent of total global CO2-emissions, and is set to rise to 15 percent by 2050 if left unchecked. The CO2 savings of this journey alone equates to the annual CO2 emitted by over 200 households in a year or 12 mill km travelled in an average car which is 300 times around the world. The voyage will take place between March and June 2019.

 

AMAKA ANAGOR-EWUZIE