ContainersEnvironmentEuropeOperations

Hamburg Süd teams with Electrolux in pioneering emissions cutting project

Containerline Hamburg Süd and Swedish home appliance manufacturer Electrolux have teamed up for a pioneering sulphur dioxide emission-cutting project.

During its layovers in Central and South America last month the 7,114 teu Santa Catarina voluntarily used cleaner marine gas oil (MGO) instead of standard heavy fuel oil (HFO) to operate its auxiliary engines and boilers.

Hamburg Süd and Electrolux already carried out a fuel upgrade in the past, thereby making a contribution to environmental and health protection. Due to the significantly lower sulphur content of MGO, the sulphur dioxide emissions for the Electrolux cargo in question decreased by more than 95%. The project is being financed by both companies in what is likely to be viewed as a groundbreaking moment where shipper and shipowner combine to make their supply chains more green. While Electrolux is bearing the additional costs for the MGO, Hamburg Süd, recently acquired by Maersk, is assuming the extra operating expenses related to planning and switching fuels.

“When it comes to sustainability, reducing emissions in the interest of environmental protection plays an important role for Hamburg Süd,” said Dr. Arnt Vespermann, CEO of Hamburg Süd. “With this project, we are showing at the same time that Hamburg Süd is employing innovative solutions to meet the unique desires of our customers, in collaboration with them.”

“Sulphur dioxide emissions are a major environmental issue in some of the communities around port cities where we ship our products. With this partnership, we are showing how the industry can move faster than legislation to improve the air quality in ports, and we hope more companies will get on board,” said Bjorn Vang Jensen, vice president, global logistics at Electrolux. “This will support our ambition to improve the environmental footprint in the transportation chain,” Jensen, a former Maersk employee, added.

Sam Chambers

Starting out with the Informa Group in 2000 in Hong Kong, Sam Chambers became editor of Maritime Asia magazine as well as East Asia Editor for the world’s oldest newspaper, Lloyd’s List. In 2005 he pursued a freelance career and wrote for a variety of titles including taking on the role of Asia Editor at Seatrade magazine and China correspondent for Supply Chain Asia. His work has also appeared in The Economist, The New York Times, The Sunday Times and The International Herald Tribune.
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