Carbon insetting offers a route to reducing emissions
Companies that import or export their freight by vessel have traditionally had little influence on the container shipping company’s fuel choice.
That was until December 2022, when the Port of Rotterdam Authority and GoodShipping announced the ‘Switch to Zero’ campaign to encourage companies to have their sea freight transported using sustainable fuel.
“It is good that shipping, as well as industry, in Europe will soon pay for CO2 emissions through the ETS. This encourages sustainability, as it makes environment- and climate-friendly alternatives more attractive financially. However, this is only possible if such alternative options are offered,” said Allard Castelein, CEO, Port of Rotterdam Authority.
”This initiative with GoodShipping and the 17 companies is part of that programme.”
Carbon reduction
Insetting reduces carbon dioxide emissions by using sustainable fuel for shipping. This in contrast to offsetting, which involves CO2 being compensated by, for instance, planting trees.
Shippers often transport small numbers of containers on different vessels and can use insetting to reduce a certain amount of CO2 and allow for CO2 neutral transport of cargo.
GoodShipping ensures that this CO2 reduction is achieved by providing a vessel with sustainable fuel. This does not need to be the same vessel on which the containers are transported.
This makes it easy for sea freight shipping companies to make a concrete contribution to reducing CO2 emissions.
GoodShipping ensures that the fuel is produced from certified sustainable flows including frying oils and animal fats that are labelled as 100% waste and cannot be used in higher grade products. These so-called advanced biofuels also do not compete with the food chain and production does not affect important ecosystems such as the rain forest. This is monitored by an independent sustainability board.
Participating companies in the scheme include Dille & Kamille, Swinkels Family Brewers (known for Bavaria and Cornet, among others), Yogi Tea, Beiersdorf, Bugaboo, Otto Group, K2 Forwarding, Yumeko, NINE & Co., De Kleine Keuken, Royal van Whije Verf, Intersteel, OMyBag, Regent Ingredients, Dopper, Johnny Cashew and Anchor International.
