The parties have started to trial the use of hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) as fuel for trucks carrying Unilever's shipments from the Port of Amsterdam-located terminal of TMA Logistics.
Samskips aims to save up to 14,500 kg of CO2 through the partnership, a 90% reduction compared to traditional fuels.
"Samskip 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," the company said in a press release.
The HVO - produced from cooking oils and residual waste, and supplied by Schouten Olie - is ISCC-EU certified as 100% biofuel and can be used in all diesel engines. According to the provider, HVO lowers the release of harmful matter such as hydrocarbon, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, making it beneficial for the local air quality and good for the engine, too, as filters and injectors stay cleaner for longer.
"Our ongoing commitment to increase eco-friendly solutions by road are taking full shape. 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," Ásbjörn Gíslason, Samskip's CCO and Deputy CEO, commented.
He furthered, "We are very pleased to see a significant shift in sentiment and involvement from customers and suppliers towards sustainable solutions. Reducing CO2 emissions is a core strategy for Samskip, and we acknowledge that it is increasingly important to be able to offer customers a new way of doing business with us while supporting the sustainability aspect of their supply chain."
Michael van Toledo, TMA Logistics' General Manager, added, "We all know that low-carbon resources make a vital contribution in reducing emissions, particularly in road transportation. Biofuels are therefore a perfect fit with our ambition to increase the usage of sustainable alternatives."
Joost Zuurendonk, Schouten Olie's Sales Director, summed up by saying, "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. We are committed to responsible, sustainable practices and proud to lead by example and show that transporting cargo with a significant reduction of emissions is possible and that the time is now."
Photo: Samskip