DB Schenker and MSC seal biofuel deal to cut supply chain emissions

DB Schenker is expanding its green ocean freight services and has secured an arrangement to use 12,000 metric tons of biofuel component for all of its own consolidated cargo.
This includes less-than-container load (LCL), full-container-load (FCL) and refrigerated containers (reefer containers), from MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company, the world’s largest container line.
The amount of biofuel purchased is enough to save an additional 35,000 metric tons of CO2 equivalents (CO2e) along the entire production chain.
The equivalent of around 30,000 standard containers (TEU) may be shipped with net-zero CO2 emissions, depending on how the fuel is used during navigation.
The purchase agreement signed this month represents one of the largest carbon-insetting biofuel deals between a freight forwarder and a shipping company.
It sets out the use of certified sustainable, second-generation biofuels - derived from used cooking oil - instead of conventional fossil-based marine fuel.
The 12,000 metric tons of biofuel component will be blended between 20 and 30%, resulting in approximately 50,000 metric tons of blended biofuel to be used in MSC’s container ships.
Thorsten Meincke, global board member for air and ocean Freight at DB Schenker, said: "Together with MSC, we are offering our customers a convenient and clean solution using the latest generation of marine biofuel to help them achieve a real additional reduction in their emissions.”
Caroline Becquart, Senior Vice President of MSC, added: “Decarbonising ocean freight cannot be achieved by a single player and requires collaboration between shipping and logistics companies and their customers. MSC Biofuel Solution is our first certified carbon insetting program that reduces emissions in our customers’ supply chains, accelerating the energy transition by creating demand for net-zero-carbon shipping and delivering direct CO2 savings. We’re delighted to partner with DB Schenker, with whom we share similar climate ambitions along our collective journey to net zero.”