TMA Logistics, Samskip and Unilever pave way for fossil-free transport
Amsterdam-based TMA Logistics and Unilever are part of a pilot project with global shipping company Samskip to use biofuel in trucks transporting goods, saving up to 14,500kg of CO2 emissions.
Logistics partnership aims to reduce transportation emissions
A collaboration between global shipping company Samskip, Amsterdam logistics firm TMA Logistics and consumer goods company Unilever, which has facilities across the Netherlands, aims to pave the way to a fossil-free future for road freight transport.
A pilot project will see HVO100 biofuels from Schouten Olie BC used in trucks transporting goods for Unilever from the TMA Logistics terminal near the Port of Amsterdam.
Samskip hopes the partnership will save up to 14,500 kg of CO2, a reduction of 90% compared to traditional fuels, as well as encourage more customers to reduce emissions in their supply chain this way.
The ISCC-EU certified fuel is produced from residue and residual waste and can be used in all diesel engines as an equivalent to conventional diesel. As well as producing less CO2, its use reduces the emission of harmful substances such as hydrocarbon, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide and PAHs, benefiting air quality and engine lifespan.
Ásbjörn Gíslason, CCO and deputy CEO at Samskip, headquartered in Rotterdam, said: “This project brings new opportunities to the market and encourages shippers looking for greener fuel alternatives by demonstrating the ease and efficiency of integrating plant biofuels into their existing fleet.”
Michael van Toledo, general manager at TMA Logistics, added: “This collaboration in the field of biofuels is in line with the ambition of the City of Amsterdam and the Port of Amsterdam to reduce transport emissions. We all know that biofuels make an essential contribution to reducing CO2 emissions, especially in road transport. Biofuels are therefore a perfect fit with our ambition to increase the use of sustainable alternatives.”
Amsterdam leading the way on sustainable transportation
The Amsterdam Area’s logistics sector is increasingly committed to sustainable solutions to meet the city’s green ambitions and global efforts to combat climate change. Amsterdam Airport Schiphol is working on environmental solutions from electric transport and renewable energies to major developments in biofuels. In 2019 the airport was recognised by the Airports Council International for reducing, managing and compensating its CO2 emissions. The Port of Amsterdam is undergoing an energy transition and has committed to stop handling coal by 2030. Startup Synkero last week announced plans for a commercial factory located at the port for the production of a synthetic kerosene “e-fuel”.