Hapag-Lloyd, Kuehne + Nagel Agree to 17% CO2 Reduction by 2020

The Carbon and Sustainability Pact that calls for a 17 percent reduction in CO2 emissions per container moved by Hapag-Lloyd. File Image / Pixabay / Ship & Bunker

Hapag-Lloyd and Swiss global transport and logistics company Kuehne + Nagel today announced they have committed to a Carbon and Sustainability Pact that calls for a 17 percent reduction in CO2 emissions per container moved by Hapag-Lloyd by 2020 compared to 2017.

Additional reductions on selected routes may also be possible, the companies said, adding that the Pact clearly states that they "want to take advantage of this unique opportunity to influence the logistics sector."

The two companies says they will give Kuehne + Nagel customers options based on transparent data. Specifically, Hapag-Lloyd says it will make information about the CO2 emissions of the ships in its fleet, as previously verified by the independent Clean Cargo Working Group (CCWG), available to Kuehne + Nagel to pass onto its customers.

"With their Carbon and Sustainability Pact, both companies have also committed themselves to a series of additional actions to better protect the environment. For example, there are plans to optimize the movement of empty containers as well as to identify alternatives to truck transports using ships or trains," the companies added.

"In addition, there are also plans to use the most modern and eco-friendly reefer equipment whenever possible as well as to use containers with steel rather than wooden floors where appropriate."

Hapag-Lloyd is the world's fifth largest box shipping player with 1.5 million TEUs of capacity, representing a market share of 7%, according to data from Alphaliner.

The move by Hapag-Lloyd and Kuehne + Nagel comes against a backdrop of increasing focus on Shipping's GHG emissions, with marine environmental groups in October again criticizing the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) for what they say is a failure to take decisive action on the matter.