DP World has achieved fossil-free status at both of its UK logistics hubs, marking a significant milestone with the elimination of fossil diesel usage at London Gateway.
In January, the company successfully transitioned diesel-engine equipment and installations to operate on Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) as part of London Gateway’s ongoing sustainability initiatives. This move aligns with the hub’s progress toward electrification and adopting more carbon-efficient energy sources.
HVO, a renewable biodiesel derived from sustainable sources, will play a key role in substantially reducing carbon dioxide emissions at the London Gateway hub. It is estimated that this switch will result in a noteworthy saving of approximately 8,300 tonnes of CO2 equivalent (CO2e) in 2024, equivalent to the annual emissions of over 4,700 family cars.
DP World plans to continue the deployment of HVO at London Gateway throughout 2024, anticipating a 26% net reduction in the company’s overall carbon emissions from its fleet and installations by the year’s end. This initiative follows DP World Southampton’s successful transition to HVO 18 months ago, resulting in an impressive 90% reduction in carbon emissions.
“Transitioning from fossil diesel to Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) across our operations is critical to meeting our customer’s supply chain demands. The move demonstrates not only our goal of becoming a net zero carbon organisation by 2050 but also highlights our commitment to our customer’s sustainability success as well as our own. Alongside our unrivalled and unique array of assets and suite of capabilities at London Gateway, the adaptation of HVO helps our customers stay both competitive and carbon efficient in a fast-changing and unpredictable trading environment,” stated Ahsan Agha, vice president of Port Operations at DP World London Gateway.
The shift to HVO at London Gateway is set to receive added sustainability benefits with the imminent opening of the US$442 million new fourth berth this summer. The berth will be operated by eight cutting-edge fully electric straddle carriers, representing a US$15 million investment. This significant step will not only enhance the energy transition at London Gateway but also contribute to the establishment of the world’s first all-electric fleet in commercial operation at a port.
Beyond its UK hubs in London Gateway and Southampton, DP World’s comprehensive offering extends to logistics, forwarding, and European transport capabilities, all seamlessly integrated into the company’s global network. With a presence in 78 countries, DP World plays a pivotal role, handling 10% of world trade.
