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Bolloré Logistics in the ranking of the 75 leading Green Supply Chain Partners carried out by Inbound Logistics 

logistics

Bolloré Logistics in the ranking of the 75 leading Green Supply Chain Partners carried out by Inbound Logistics 

Bolloré Logistics has been recognized again this year as a Green Supply Chain Partner by Inbound  Logistics Magazine. This prestigious recognition highlights Bolloré Logistics’ commitment to  sustainability, its significant achievements in reducing carbon emissions and promoting eco-friendly  practices. 

Since the launch of its CSR program “Powering Sustainable Logistics” in 2018, Bolloré Logistics has  successfully implemented various initiatives to minimize its environmental impact and meet its objectives. In particular, the company has committed to reducing scope 3’s CO2 emissions from its  transport services by 30% by 2030 (2019 baseline).  

In 2023, the company’s accomplishments include among others doubling up on the amount of  purchased quantity of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), avoiding more than 37.000 tons of CO2e. Furthermore, it has partnered with industry leaders to explore and implement alternative fuels such as  Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), Renewable Natural Gas (RNG), and  Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil (HVO) technologies.  

Other projects have been initiated to foster the development of a greener and more sustainable supply  chain. The company is thus looking to encourage the use of alternative transport for sea freight and has  already organized its first trial to transport pallets on a sailboat from France to the US.  

About Bolloré Logistics USA 

Headquartered in New York, Bolloré Logistics was established in April 1969. The company is present in  17 cities across the US. Our US organization provides a wide range of solutions in the logistics and  supply chain industry, air & ocean freight, ground & cross border, project cargo, customs brokerage,  warehousing, regional & local distribution centers, and e-commerce. Bolloré Logistics USA is also a  company of over 500 experts with strong value-added skills in specific vertical markets such as  aerospace, healthcare, cosmetics & perfumes, flavors & fragrances, fashion & retail, chemicals, energy  & new energy, automotive, military & defense, and aid & relief.  

green warehousing

Meeting Sustainability Goals with Green Warehousing

Warehouses are essential for many businesses. They also keep the e-commerce industry running. At the same time, warehousing has a significant ecological footprint and environmental impact. To be sustainable, warehouses need to adopt green practices. This is where green warehousing offers an opportunity for sustainability-minded businesses. 

What is green warehousing?

Warehouses protect products in storage. Done properly, warehousing reduces the risk of contamination, spoilage and waste. Another important aspect of warehousing is having products in the right place to meet demands or requirements.

Warehousing requires a lot of resources and generates waste that is not always recyclable. Storage space, packaging materials and much more are needed to fulfill orders. Lighting, climate control and other activities related to daily operations consume energy and costs. Warehouse operations also create non-recyclable waste.

Green warehousing involves reducing energy consumption with sustainable practices and materials. This might include, for example, creating a distribution network that reduces transportation. It also focuses on managing inventories and moving goods and people across warehouse floors in an efficient way. 

Thinking about green logistics beyond warehousing

An eco-friendly warehouse is the main component of any green warehousing strategy. Green warehousing is just one element of a sustainable approach to shipping and distribution. Businesses looking to reduce their carbon footprint should think about a broader green logistics approach.

Sustainable warehousing is just one part of the supply chain. Businesses should consider how raw materials are sourced and how products are manufactured. Sustainability can be achieved, for example, by processing materials and producing products in an energy-efficient way. Eliminating waste during these steps in the supply chain is also key.

Green logistics also involves improved product distribution. This might involve eco-friendly packing materials and processes. For example, space can be optimized in containers and on pallets when transporting products. This reduces fuel consumption during shipping. 

The benefits of green warehousing

Cost savings are one of the main benefits of green or sustainable warehousing. With lower consumption, energy bills will be reduced. These savings can be used to invest in more environmentally-friendly upgrades or other aspects of your businesses. That said, the benefits do not stop at cost savings.

Consumer loyalty

More and more consumers are making conscious decisions about their purchases based on environmental and social impacts. A company’s actions on sustainability are increasingly tied to consumer loyalty and preferences.

Products making environmental, social and governance (ESG) claims, for example, averaged 28% cumulative growth over the past five years compared to 20% for products that made none. In North America, 70% of consumers value brands that operate sustainably.

Employee satisfaction

Many workers are concerned about environmental ethics and impacts. A UK study found that 65% of workers are more likely to work for a company with a strong environmental policy.

A company’s sustainability record can impact decisions about where people want to work and can impact a company’s turnover rate. Adopting sustainable practices like green warehousing can be important in attracting and retaining talent.

How to adopt green warehousing?

Green warehousing requires commitment at all levels. Some changes like recycling packaging materials are relatively low-cost. Other changes like sustainable construction or improved lighting will require investments. In the longer term, these changes will result in lower energy costs and other benefits.

Designing a sustainable space

The design of a warehouse is essential for sustainability by reducing the building’s carbon footprint. This might include powering the space with renewable energy like solar panels and using sustainable building materials. Rainwater infiltration systems also help reduce water consumption.

Introducing green spaces reduces energy consumption and indoor temperature changes. Placing plants on the roof of an uninsulated building reduces energy consumption from heating by up to 5% during the winter and from cooling by up to 33% in the summer months.

Green spaces like green roofs, walls and interior decoration also provide additional benefits. Outdoors, they create ecological diversity for wildlife. For workers, green spaces create more welcoming areas for breaks. 

Updating your warehouse fleet

Choosing the right equipment to transport goods is another important step in green warehousing. Electric equipment is a green alternative to using equipment powered by propane or natural gas. This reduces emissions by avoiding the use of fossil fuels.

Multi-purpose forklifts also reduce carbon footprints since they help reduce the number of vehicles needed in a warehouse. Attachments can be used for different tasks on the floor while reducing the space required to store vehicle fleets. Forklift manufacturer Combilift, for example, found its customers created up to 50% more storage space with a multi-purpose forklift.

Updating warehouse lighting and ventilation

Proper lighting is a must to ensure warehouses are safe. Switching to eco-friendly options like light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs and automated lighting helps with energy consumption. Thanks to their high efficiency and directional nature, LED lights are increasingly common in industrial and commercial settings. They also last longer and use at least 75% less energy.

Improving ventilation in a warehouse space also helps improve efficiency. During the winter, heating travels upwards and leaves the warehouse floor cool. This can be uncomfortable for workers and require the heating to be constantly on to maintain a more comfortable interior temperature.

Industrial high-speed, low-volume fans help address this problem by redirecting rising hot air. In the summer, they also help circulate cool air. These fans will help increase comfort and reduce energy use.

Using sustainable materials and recycling

Warehousing requires a lot of packaging. It is not surprising that this creates significant amounts of waste each day. Introducing a recycling program ensures that packaging materials are disposed of correctly.

Reusing pallets and storage materials also helps reduce waste while also cutting costs. Keeping materials out of landfills also means companies reduce disposal costs.

Space optimization

Storage optimization and inventory control help increase efficiency on the warehouse floor. For example, storing products in a way that minimizes space ensures you make the most of your warehouse.

When it comes to inventory, properly labeling, packaging and storing products minimizes damage. This decreases the risk of spoilage and waste. Stacking products on pallets also helps forklifts move them effectively.

Transitioning to green practices in your warehouse

For businesses looking to save and reduce the environmental impacts of their operations, green warehousing is an important element of any sustainability approach. From changing the machinery you use to upgrading lighting and ventilation, green warehousing helps businesses reduce energy consumption and waste. At the same time, these practices can improve a company’s bottom line by attracting consumers and talent while reducing costs.

blue

The Shyft Group Achieves CARB Approval for Blue Arc™ EV Delivery Vans

Blue Arc EVs Meet Emission Standards Set by the California Air Resources Board and Contribute to Cleaner, Safer Air Quality

225-mile city driving range exceeds fleet customer demand

The Shyft Group, Inc. , the North American leader in specialty vehicle manufacturing, assembly, and upfit for the commercial, retail, and service specialty vehicle markets, today announced it has completed testing and received an executive order of compliance from the California Air Resources Board (CARB) for the Company’s Blue Arc™ EV Solutions Class 3, 4 and 5 electric delivery vehicles.

Within the executive order, CARB confirmed the city driving range of 225 miles for the Class 3 Blue Arc EVs under CARB test conditions, including three models offering 600, 700 or 800 cubic feet of cargo capacity. The Class 4 and 5 EVs provide 700 to 1,000 cubic feet.

Blue Arc has achieved a new benchmark for range in commercial EVs, which provides customers with the knowledge they can comfortably perform and in many cases exceed a daily last-mile delivery route and cargo capacity requirements.

CARB compliance means Blue Arc vehicles meet the stringent emission standards set by CARB, and the vehicles help contribute to cleaner and safer air quality, as well as a more sustainable platform to minimize fleet impact on the environment.

Together with Shyft’s recent announcement on EPA testing citing up to 200 mile range city/highway combined, the executive order and certification are important milestones that help clear the way for Shyft’s Blue Arc vans to start production later this year and be sold in all 50 states. The certifications are additionally significant because they will allow Blue Arc customers in a number of states with zero emission truck regulations to apply for and receive incentives.

Shyft also recently announced a $16-million investment at the company’s Charlotte, Michigan, campus to begin production of the electric vehicles in the second half of 2023.

combustion

Hydrogen Combustion Engine Market Increases by 10% as Manufacturers in UK Strives to Achieve Zero Carbon Emission

The global hydrogen combustion engine market is projected to have a high-paced CAGR of 9.78% during the forecast period. The current valuation of the hydrogen combustion engine market is US$ 18.22 Bn in 2023. The value of the hydrogen combustion engine market is anticipated to reach a high of US$ 46.31 Bn by the year 2033.

The key aspects pushing the adoption of hydrogen combustion engine is owing to government attempts to promote the use of fuel cell cars, a growth in the demand for fuel cells in automotive and transportation, and an increase in the demand for passenger transportation. Internal combustion engines have long been popular.

Despite this, OEMs are turning their attention to natural gas and hydrogen-based engines because to the rising cost of crude oil, strict emission regulations, fuel supply security, and noise pollution. This is evidently likely to promote the global hydrogen combustion engine.

In addition, an increase in government and other organizational support for the development and commercialization of refueling infrastructure throughout the world is projected to result in the rapid advancement of the global market for hydrogen combustion engines over the next few years.

In addition, the approaching decline in fuel cell costs, brought on by the rising use of creative strategies by fuel producers to lower fuel prices, is anticipated to improve the market’s development prospects in the years to come. Hydrogen combustion engines are gradually evolving as a result of different technical breakthroughs and inventions, allowing them to provide high power outputs while also improving fuel efficiency.

Despite a rise in demand for electric engines and a corresponding decrease in demand for internal combustion engines powered by traditional sources, hydrogen combustion engines are estimated to continue to play an important role in the evolution of the automobile industry. Furthermore, they have the ability to improve in a variety of areas, including thermal efficiency, emissions, and electrification.

The need for research is always being filled by researchers. Because more hydrogen-powered vehicles could be produced and put on the market thanks to the development of low-cost hydrogen energy production technology, hydrogen vehicles became a reality.

Growing scientific study has pushed vehicle manufacturers to build eco-friendly automobiles on the market in order to minimize carbon emissions in the environment. These factors are anticipated to expand the global hydrogen combustion engine market size in the forecast period.

However, hydrogen (in gaseous form) is often produced from water using electrolysis, which involves sending a strong electric current through water to separate oxygen and hydrogen atoms. The electrolysis technique is highly expensive due to the high energy needs. Moreover, the stringent norms and regulations regarding greenhouse gas emissions are expected to impede market growth.

Key Takeaways:

During the forecast period, North America is expected to account for the largest share of the global hydrogen combustion engine market. The market in this region is expected to rise due to increasing R&D investment in order to provide cutting-edge solutions and meet end-user demands. Furthermore, the US government’s renewable energy programs are spurring market growth throughout the country.

The hydrogen combustion engine market in Europe is predicted to develop rapidly, particularly in Germany, during the projected period. This is owing to the key players in the nation are actively developing a hydrogen internal combustion engine, pushing the pan-European goal of becoming the world’s first climate-neutral continent by 2050, based on their significant knowledge and years of research experience in this field.

Owing to its ability to transfer protons over the membrane from the anode to the cathode and its importance to the electrochemical process’s effectiveness, the “proton membrane exchange” technology type is expected to hold the greatest revenue, through the forecast period.

As it fits the market niche by serving the country’s middle class with low prices, high-quality amenities, small sizes, and simple financing options, the “commercial vehicles” application type, accounts for a significant share, and is the most preferred type.

Competitive Landscape:

Owing to the existence of both international and local players, the global hydrogen combustion engine market is fragmented. A vast number of manufacturers have a significant market share in their respective regions. Organic developments, such as product releases and approvals, are often highly adopted by key companies. For instance, in April 2021, Toyota announced that it is developing a hydrogen-fueled combustion engine that will be used in sports vehicles and seeks to create a thriving and sustainable mobility society. These factors are estimated to expand the global hydrogen combustion engine market size.

hydrogen

Green Hydrogen Companies Gear Up for a Credits Bonanza

The Inflation Reduction Act has companies scrambling to take advantage of tax credits. Solar and wind projects are earmarked as are new initiatives for batteries and green hydrogen that fuel the electric grid. Incentives matter, but money is finite which is giving rise to some interesting discourse as to what truly qualifies as green energy. 

The most talked about issue surrounds green hydrogen. Also known as “clean hydrogen,” machines called electrolyzers that run on electricity and are produced from a renewable source are vital inputs. Electrolyzers split water into hydrogen and oxygen. Yet, they consume an inordinate amount of energy to make a very small amount of hydrogen. Unless that energy is produced from renewable sources there is no point in emitting more CO2 for such a negligible trade-off.

The argument for offering incentives for green hydrogen companies is based on whether they’re using green power to produce clean hydrogen. The rules are being written, but firms like NextEra, the owner of one of the world’s largest renewable energy developers – Florida Power & Light – argue that more concessions are needed. The green hydrogen energy business is still very new and some are contending leniency is needed until the technology improves and/or the costs come down. 

Green hydrogen costs roughly $5 per kilogram to produce. Hydrogen produced from natural gas costs $1.50 per kilogram. That’s a significant difference and without a proposed tax credit of up to $3 per kilogram (and likely more), the economics will be unsustainable for some producers. Yet, those producers who can scale up immediately with less generous incentives are lobbying hard to move forward as is. Tighter standards, they argue, will allow them to capitalize on planned projects and not wait for potential competitors to enter the field. 

The unofficial estimate of the energy and climate package of the act is approximately $369 billion. The tax credits that companies receive are only valuable if the company registers taxable earnings. Many clean-energy companies are upstarts and/or too small to take competitive advantage of the credits. The tax credits could be used similarly to renewable energy certificates (RECs). Clean-energy facilities sell RECs to companies seeking to nail their climate targets. In 2021 in the US alone, S&P Global estimated that market being worth $11 billion.   

The upcoming 10 months will be fraught with debate and a big credit scramble. But we still don’t know if the aggregate outcome will end up being truly green power. 

 

Gebrüder

Gebrüder Weiss Targets Climate Neutrality by 2030

As a modern logistics service provider, Gebrüder Weiss has set the goal of gradually reducing the company’s carbon footprint to zero with its sustainability strategy GWcares, aiming to make the company’s logistics facilities climate-neutral by 2030. This is one of the ways in which the company is facing up to its responsibility and contributing to efforts to meet global climate targets.

Gebrüder Weiss will be taking a close look at CO₂ emissions at all 180 locations. The company has quantified the current CO₂ emissions and energy consumption of its locations in its current Sustainability Report. These emissions are to be reduced gradually by ten percent per year.

The sustainability report also outlines important measures to be taken in the quest for climate neutrality and ways in which our modern logistics facilities can harness any and all possibilities available for saving energy and reducing dependence on limited resources. Installing photovoltaic (PV) systems on the roofs of logistics terminals has an important role to play, with 18 such installations already existing at Gebrüder Weiss. Together, these installations generate more than 4,600 megawatt hours of electricity per year and currently meet 18 percent of the group’s electricity needs. The aim is to increase this share by 15 percent each year by further increasing the number of PV installations. Gebrüder Weiss has also installed an energy monitoring system at its locations in Europe to track the effectiveness of these efforts and plans to deploy it worldwide in the coming years.

Investments in alternative drives

Gebrüder Weiss is also increasing the share of alternative drives in heavy-duty transport and developing low-emission solutions for the last mile. In the Greater Vienna metropolitan area, an electric truck is used for short-distance transport, and deliveries are made to end customers in Austria using electric vans. On top of this, one of the world’s first hydrogen (H2) trucks has been in regular operation in Switzerland since January 2021, and there are plans to deploy five more H2 trucks in Germany in 2023. Gebrüder Weiss is also working with partners and competitors in Austria to introduce fuel cell trucks. The Company intends to invest around ten million euros in alternative drive systems by 2025.

About Gebrüder Weiss

Gebrüder Weiss Holding AG, based in Lauterach, Austria, is a globally operative full-service logistics provider with about 8,000 employees at 180 company-owned locations. In the last fiscal year (2021), it posted annual sales of 2.5 billion euros. Its portfolio encompasses transport and logistics solutions, digital services, and supply chain management. The twin strengths of digital and physical competence enable Gebrüder Weiss to respond swiftly and flexibly to customers’ needs. The family-run organization – with a history going back more than half a millennium – has implemented a wide variety of environmental, economic, and social initiatives. Today, it is also considered a pioneer in sustainable business practices.

companies

Are Freight Companies Working Towards Decarbonization?

The World Benchmark Alliance (WBA) published the Climate and Energy Benchmark on the Transport Sector two days ago. It analyses 90 companies, including 25 airlines, 17 shipping companies, nine rail operators, six road transport firms and 33 multimodal companies.

The WBA assesses and ranks high-emitting companies on critical issues supporting decarbonization and the energy transition. The report examines current and future decarbonization plans and their past and present performance to determine their alignment with the Paris Agreement goal of limiting global warming to 1.5° Celsius and their contributions to a low-carbon transition.

According to the assessment, 85% of the companies have fleets that will be unable to operate in a low-carbon future, and only 7% of the companies have publicly stated plans to phase out fossil-fuel-powered modes of transportation.

The report says: “Investment in R&D is critical to ensuring that new technologies can come to market more quickly, as is working in partnership with suppliers and developers such as vehicle manufacturers or fuel producers. However, 94% of companies do not provide any meaningful data on research and development into low-carbon vehicles and fuels.” It adds: “A few companies are using their influence to push for infrastructure solutions, improved climate policy, or customer behavior change.”

Aside from decarbonization, the study looked at the implications for workers and customers as a component of ensuring a low-carbon transition that leaves no one behind. The 90 transport companies employ an estimated 9.6m people worldwide, but only 43% have a publicly available policy statement to protect their workers’ health and safety. Furthermore, only three companies provide quantitative data on worker health and safety.

Nonetheless, some businesses stand out as examples of good practice. Maersk is one of the few companies that has made it a policy to work with trade associations on climate issues. It reviews its membership status annually to ensure that its trade associations comply with the Paris Agreement.

According to the benchmarking, some solutions that transportation operators will need to implement, such as alternative fuels and cleaner vehicles, are still in the early stages of development.

Despite the challenging landscape described by the WBA’s Climate and Energy Benchmark, some decarbonization initiatives are being implemented gradually.

For instance, in June 2021, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) adopted a series of agreements on regulations around the “carbon intensity” of shipping. More details and adopted strategies can be found in Ti’s Logistics & Supply Chain Sustainability Report 2021.

Another recent example is the Green Corridor to support sustainable shipping. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by the Port Authorities of Rotterdam and Gothenburg last week.

The ports will use the agreement to strengthen their ongoing collaboration on decarbonization and digitalization. In addition, it will establish a common framework for cooperation as part of the Green Corridor initiative to promote the use of alternative fuels to meet the Paris Agreement’s goals.

However, as well illustrated by the WBA’s key findings, engaging people in the transition requires a concerted effort, and a lack of action by companies could jeopardize the low-carbon transition’s success.

For more in depth information, download the Logistics & Supply Chain Sustainability Report 2021. The report addresses the impact of Covid-19 on the race to decarbonize. It examines the current impact of road, air and sea freight on environmental targets and the measures each market must adopt to reach net zero. It also contains a breakdown of the findings of the Ti and Foundation for Future Supply Chain’s 2021 Sustainability survey and comparative environmental profiles for leading logistics providers.

Supply chain strategists can use GSCi – Ti’s online data platform – to identify opportunities for growth, support strategic decisions, help them stay abreast of industry trends and development, as well as understand future impacts on the industry.

Visit GSCI subscription to sign up today or contact: Michael Clover for a free demonstration: mclover@ti-insight.com | +44 (0) 1666 519907

semi-truck redwood

Redwood Logistics Empowers Shippers to Grow a More Sustainable Supply Chain with Redwood Hyperion

The new carbon emissions tracking tool provides shippers visibility into freight emissions and access to verified carbon offsets

Redwood Logistics, one of the fastest-growing supply chain and logistics companies in North America, today introduced its innovative sustainability tool, Redwood Hyperion, providing freight emissions calculations and access to verified carbon credits. Available later this year, Redwood’s sustainability program will provide a customizable suite of carbon visibility, reduction, and offsetting tools, meeting shippers wherever they are in their sustainability journey – providing actionable insights to help reach their goals.

This automates detailed load-by-load emissions calculations, provides supply chain emissions metrics & analytics, and supports carbon neutral initiatives by facilitating carbon credit purchases toward verified projects. It will include a comprehensive suite of carbon tracking and data tools through RedwoodConnect™, Redwood’s proprietary iPaaS platform that facilitates integration of digital and physical supply chains. Additionally, Redwood will be formalizing its current managed offering under Redwood Eco Advisory umbrella to guide shippers towards supply chain efficiencies that obtains measurable emission reductions, while also reducing freight costs.

By bringing freight emissions into the bigger picture of overall impact, This will be a key aspect in enabling customers to make informed and carbon efficient decisions. Measurable emissions in hand, reductions are a priority to climate initiatives that can be supported with leading-edge technology, network optimization, and freight operations evolution. What can’t be reduced can be offset as part of a net-zero emissions strategy.

Hyperion, a coastal redwood tree located in California, ranks as the tallest living tree in the world. Given a coastal redwood can absorb as much as 250 times the carbon of other trees, Hyperion was selected as Redwood’s recognizable symbol of climate change while further strengthening Redwood’s LPaaS (Logistics Platform as a Service) ecosystem, bridging the gap between logistics and technology through an interconnected and open platform that allows for effortless scaling and logistics network design.

Carbon Free, but Someone Always Pays

Environmental debates are not new. Ever since the Industrial Revolution, humans have been modifying the natural environment in a plethora of ways. Everything from strip mining to trapping and fishing, burning fossil fuels or constructing nuclear power plants, we’re an innovative species that does not remain stagnant for long. As with most things, doing something to A will cause something in B. Sure, we can generate cleaner energy with nuclear plants, but what about the waste or potential dangers, some would ask. As Milton Friedman was fond of saying, “there is no such thing as a free lunch.” Someone pays, someone always pays. 

There is a near-universal consensus that carbon emissions are bad for the environment. The debate lies in how we reduce them and by how much. A tax on something generally affects demand. Carbon taxes are popular policy tools for limiting emissions. Yet, if enacted poorly or sloppily, the effects are adversely felt. For example, a straight carbon tax on fossil fuels is often regressive. The burden of the tax falls harder on those who have less. It is possible to tax fossil fuels more progressively, but because fuel is essential in the production of a host of other items (food, services, etc), prices naturally rise across the board and those with less are still impacted disproportionately. 

Now, this doesn’t mean that carbon taxes can’t work. There are many successful examples of carbon taxes coupled with targeted government transfers to mitigate the disproportionate household effects. But this requires extreme coordination and collaborative political will. The shipping industry is currently weighing a similar proposal as there is broad agreement that it must reduce its carbon footprint. Shipping represents approximately three percent of global greenhouse gas emissions and incentives and regulations are greatly needed. 

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) is a United Nations agency responsible for the safety and security of shipping as well as the prevention of atmospheric pollution by ships. They have been meeting and exchanging carbon mitigation proposals over the past two months with China and Japan namely. If structured conscientiously, a carbon tax can move the industry to emit less via incentives to improve efficiency and ultimately the implementation of zero-carbon technology. But some are concerned that the new regulatory system (based on Carbon Intensity Indicator metrics) is not the smartest path.

These metrics do not take into account operational and trading efficiencies and ultimately introduce misguided incentives for shippers. Ships that carry less cargo will receive favorable scores which are akin to the International Air Transport Association (IATA) introducing metrics that reward airlines for flying half-empty. While a half-empty vessel indeed features a lower carbon footprint, the one left paying for a pricier lunch is the eventual consumer.  

An alternative measure would be following the EU’s Emission Trading Scheme (ETS). This is a levy based on the vessel’s real-time carbon emissions. Supporters claim it is more practical and would eventually spur collaboration to improve efficiency and stimulate investment in an eventual zero-emission fuel solution. 

There is much discussion still to come. Regardless of the adopted measures, carbon taxes must not be implemented without considering the two parties in any transaction – the supplier and the consumer. In a world where lunches aren’t free, the details are where it counts.   

 

 

 

rotterdam

Port of Rotterdam to Start Green Hydrogen Trial

The Port of Rotterdam has scheduled a trial for green hydrogen production at the Sif factory on the Maasvlakte for 2023.

As part of the AmpHytrite project, monopile producer Sif will work together with Pondera, KCI the engineers, and GE Renewable Energy. The partners have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to ‘get a grip’ on the production of green hydrogen at sea, Rotterdam port wrote.

The AmpHytrite project will consist of three phases: first, a feasibility study into offshore offgrid production of green hydrogen; a second phase to develop and build a production unit that will be placed near the Sif factory on the Maasvlakte; and third the project will see a scaling up phase to apply the concept on a full scale in a wind farm at sea.

During the second phase, the production unit will run exclusively on the power generated by the Haliade wind turbine located on the Sif site.

The companies’ aim is to produce 750 tons of green hydrogen a year.

The news follows Uniper and the Port of Rotterdam Authority’s agreement to produce green hydrogen at the Uniper location on Maasvlakte.

The plans build on the findings of a previous feasibility study and are in line with the new hydrogen infrastructure that has been planned and the growing demand for sustainable hydrogen from the Rotterdam petrochemical industry.

The Port of Rotterdam recently announced several other projects on the horizon in its mission to achieve sustainability across the maritime industry; these include a new battery recycling factory in cooperation with TES and a new plastic recycling plant arriving by the end of 2022.