Find exactly what you are looking for

  • Select your location and language

  • A pile of shipping containers
    • Blog
    • Ocean Freight
    • Sustainability ESG

    DB SCHENKER and MSC seal an important biofuel deal to reduce supply chain emissions

    First-of-its-kind agreement between a freight forwarder and a shipping line

    DB SCHENKER expands its green ocean freight services, securing an arrangement to use 12,000 metric tons of biofuel component for all of its own consolidated cargo, less-than-container load (LCL), full-container-load (FCL) and refrigerated containers (reefer containers), from MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company, the world’s largest container line. With this, DB SCHENKER closes an important biofuel deal and this agreement is first-of-its-kind between a freight forwarder and a shipping line.

    Thorsten Meincke of DB Schenker and Soren Toft of MSC signing papers
    Photographer: Oliver O’Hanlon

    The amount of biofuel purchased is enough to save an additional 35,000 metric tons of CO2 equivalents (CO2e) along the entire production chain (well-to-wake) in the market. The equivalent of around 30,000 standard containers (TEU) may be shipped with net-zero CO2 emissions, depending on how the fuel is used during navigation. The deal between DB SCHENKER and MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company is the first of its kind signed between a freight forwarder and a shipping line.

    One of the largest carbon-insetting biofuel deals ever

    The biofuel deal represents one of the largest carbon-insetting biofuel deals ever signed between a freight forwarder and a shipping company. It sets out the use of certified sustainable, second-generation biofuels—derived from used cooking oil—instead of conventional fossil-based marine fuel. The 12,000 metric tons of biofuel component will be blended between 20% and 30%, resulting in approximately 50,000 metric tons of blended biofuel to be used in MSC’s container ships. The agreement allows DB SCHENKER to offer its customers an off-the-shelf product that enables net-zero ocean transportation.

    An MSC container ship
    © MSC

    DB SCHENKER’s commitment to clean logistics with biofuel

    This partnership is the latest impressive example of DB SCHENKER’s commitment to clean logistics and is another solid contribution to increasing the demand for alternative fuels in the industry. Similar to net-zero flights using sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), customers can now book regular net-zero ocean transport and receive an annual certificate of their emission reduction for their carbon footprint. The latter means that every metric ton of biofuel is bunkered in addition to any legal mandate and carrier’s set fuel purchase orders.

    Thorsten Meincke, Member of the Board of Management Air and Ocean Freight: “Together with MSC, we are offering our customers a convenient and clean solution using the latest generation of marine biofuel to help them achieve a real additional reduction in their emissions. We are doing this because we firmly believe it is the right thing to do and are therefore paying for biofuel purchases in advance. One thing is certain: the more customers demand climate neutrality throughout supply chains, the faster we achieve clean container ocean freight.”

    Caroline Becquart, Senior Vice President of MSC: “Decarbonizing ocean freight cannot be achieved by a single player and requires collaboration between shipping and logistics companies and their customers. MSC Biofuel Solution is our first certified carbon insetting program that reduces emissions in our customers’ supply chains, accelerating the energy transition by creating demand for net-zero-carbon shipping and delivering direct CO2 savings. We’re delighted to partner with DB SCHENKER, with whom we share similar climate ambitions along our collective journey to net zero.”

    Biofuel is a convenient solution

    Biofuel can be used for regular ocean freight operations without adjusting ship infrastructure or supply chains, making it a particularly convenient solution. MSC Biofuel Solution is designed to be a win-win approach to move from ambition to action. MSC bunkers sustainable biofuel and clients benefit from the CO2 savings, passing them on throughout the shipping value chain. This differentiates the program from carbon-offsetting initiatives that focus on future emission reductions outside the shipping industry.

     

    Consent to use Cookies and collect data

    We use first party cookies and similar technologies to ensure that you get the best possible experience on our website. Cookies provide us with statistics to adjust and optimize the setting and content of this website to your interests and to place relevant advertisement by using first and third parties, too. By clicking "Allow all Cookies" you accept the processing of your data and its transfer to first and third parties. By clicking "Reject Tracking" you will only accept the necessary cookies for the operation of this website. 

    You can find more details regarding the use and purpose of cookies, including first and third-party cookies, in our cookie settings. You can reject the use of cookies and other technologies and withdraw your consent any time with future effect by deactivating the respective code category in the cookie settings. You can find more information regarding these settings and the processing of your data in our privacy policy.

  • Cookies and tracking scripts

    We want to give you the opportunity to make an informed decision for or against the use of cookies, which are not mandatory for the technical functions of the website. Cookies are small text files in which personal data can be stored.

    Our privacy policy is intended to ensure that you are fully aware of the collection and processing of data, including through the use of cookies through our sites, and that you can make a decision that is appropriately informed. However you can change your cookie settings at any time.

    Please find further information within our data privacy policy.