A new partnership between Samskip, Unilever, and TMA Logistics is trialing the use of HVO100 fossil-free biofuels supplied by Schouten Olie B.V. by trucks carrying goods for Unilever from the TMA Logistics terminal.
In carbon dioxide (CO2) tonne equivalent terms, Samskip’s aim is to save up to 14,500kg of CO2 through the partnership, a reduction of 90% compared to traditional fuels.
“This is equivalent to the carbon compensation that would be needed from an astonishing 531 trees to result in the carbon footprint generated by conventional fuels,” said Samskip in its announcement.
The Dutch shipping company sees the scaled-up use of sustainable fuelling alternatives as opening a pathway for shippers seeking to reduce CO2 emission in the supply chain while transporting cargo by road. The new partnership is viewed as the first of many which Samskip believes will rapidly extend the use of biofuels to other shippers.
“This project will bring new possibilities to the market and provides encouragement for shippers seeking greener fuel alternatives by demonstrating the ease and efficiency of integrating the Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil based fuel into existing fleet equipment and operations,” commented Ásbjörn Gíslason, CCO and deputy CEO at Samskip.
The product is International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC)-EU certified as a 100% biofuel, which is produced from cooking oils and residual waste and can be used in all diesel engines as an equivalent to conventional diesel. Its use also lowers the release of harmful matter such as hydrocarbon, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs).
This is not only beneficial for the local air quality but also good for the engine, as filters and injectors stay cleaner for longer and need to be replaced less frequently.
“We all know that low-carbon resources make a vital contribution in reducing emissions, particularly in road transportation,” noted Michael van Toledo, general manager of TMA Logistics.
In addition, Joost Zuurendonk, sales director of Schouten Olie BV, believes that one of the main hurdles that biodiesel producers have been trying to overcome is the sustainability of their fuel. “The reality now is that more and more companies within the shipping industry are looking to fossil-free fuel alternatives,” he pointed out.
The biofuel shipping option is available to all shippers in Europe and the United Kingdom as of today, according to Samskip’s announcement.
