Hapag-Lloyd, is one of the largest container shipping companies in the world. They operate 237 vessels which connect 399 locations across the globe. They have been working on reducing their carbon footprint. This is part of their effort to reduce the harmful effects of shipping on the environment as well as part of their vision for sustainable future. Hapag-Lloyd has been progressively converting their ships to run on lo sulphur fuel oil as well as alternate and more ecofriendly fuels. As a result, the company has been able to reduce their CO2 emissions by 50% as compared to 2008.

The IMO has come up with directives that all shipping will use low sulphur fuel oil from 01 Jan 2020. Hapag-Lloyd undertook upon themselves to meet this target way before time. They started converting their ships to use this fuel in earnest. As a result, since the beginning of 2019, 95% of the Hapag-Lloyd ships were using low sulphur fuel oil. This has led to a drastic reduction in the emission of sulphur oxides into the environment. The ships using low sulphur fuel oil emit 70% less suplhur oxides.

The company has been experimenting with new and more eco-friendly fuels. They are now dabbling into use of Liquid Natural Gas (LNG) based ships. Hapag-Lloyd has already identified a large container ship, the Sajir for this operation. This ship is expected to convert to LNG fuel by the fourth quarter of 2020. Hapag-Lloyd will continue to work on other alternative fuel solutions also. For example, an initial test using a biofuel based on used cooking oil was launched at the beginning of the year.

For Hapag-Lloyd, sustainability means not only the implementation of measures, but also and especially dialogue and exchange. “Our sustainability measures also take into account the well-being of future generations. This makes it all the more important to bring all relevant parties – our employees, customers and shareholders, too – along on this journey. Sustainability is a common task, and it can only be achieved together with strong partners,” says Jörg Erdmann, Senior Director Sustainability Management.

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