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Maersk to offer carbon-neutral shipping in bio-fuels pilot

Maersk to offer carbon-neutral shipping in bio-fuels pilot
Maersk is to use bio-fuels to offer carbon neutral shipping under a pilot scheme with retailer H&M Group the first customer.

Following a trial with Shell using cooking oil blended with fuel oil in collaboration with the Dutch Sustainability Growth Coalition (DSGC), and Shell on board the vessel Mette Maersk this year the Danish shipping line is now launching a pilot project.

The bio-fuel is certified as sustainable by the International Sustainability & Carbon Certification (ISCC) body, and provides carbon neutral shipping when taking into account the ocean voyage only. When taking a full lifecycle view including all emissions from upstream production and transportation, the fuel entails savings of 85% compared to bunker fuel.

Read more: Maersk and Dutch multinationals in biofuels pilot on ultra-large containership

"The biofuel trial on board Mette Maersk has proven that decarbonized solutions for shipping can already be utilized today, both technically and operationally. While it is not yet an absolutely final solution it is certainly part of the solution and it can serve as a transition solution to reduce CO2 emissions today,” said Soren Toft, coo of Maersk.

The aim of the pilot project is part of an aim to make the use of sustainable fuels commercially viable.

The first customer under pilot is retailer H&M Group. "Our high ambition to become climate positive by 2040 requires cooperation and engagement from all parties in the supply chain. We want to use our size to be a force for good and enable scaling innovative solutions, such as the carbon neutral ocean product, for a greener commercial transport," said Helena Helmersson, coo H&M Group.