Norwegian ro-ro shipping line UECC has signed up to the United Nations Global Compact, which supports and unites companies to become more sustainable in terms of human rights, labour, environment and anti-corruption.
United European Car Carriers (UECC) says that joining this programme demonstrates its commitment to run its business in the best possible manner, continue to reduce the carbon footprint of its existing tonnage and meeting the shipping standards of tomorrow.
The move is part of the company’s wider sustainability drive, which has included significant investments in its shipping fleet. UECC has been investing in converting its fleet to hybrid liquified natural gas (LNG) power, running two since March 2017, with a third pure car and truck carrier (PCTC) on order from China Ship Building Trading Company and Jiangnan Shipyard Group.
“When our third battery-hybrid LNG ship is delivered in 2021, we will be the proud owners of the most sustainable fleet in our market in Europe. The new battery-hybrid solution will also ensure that UECC goes beyond the IMO target of 40% reduction in carbon intensity by 2030,” CEO Glenn Edvardsen said.
The company has also partnered with the Goodshipping Programme and the BMW Group to reduce CO2 emissions on shipments by 80-90% (well-to-wake), and is the first in its industry with ships that will operate as dual-fuel and battery powered hybrids. With three new ships soon to be deployed, more than 50% of UECC’s owned fleet will be LNG dual-fuel or battery powered hybrids.
According to UECC, switching to LNG and Biofuel on one of its vessels has reduced CO2 emissions by more than 27,000metric tonnes since 2016.
LNG-powered vessels are gaining popularity in the fight against emissions. Earlier this year, Volkswagen Group Logistics transported its first shipment of vehicles onboard a deep-sea LNG vessel, when it shipped nearly 5,000 vehicles with Siem Car Carriers. Volkswagen and Siem are set to add a second LNG-chartered vessel later this year.
Japanese ocean ro-ro carrier K Line is expected to take delivery of its first LNG-powered vessel in the fourth quarter of this year, following its launch from the Tadotsu Shipyard. The vessel has capacity to carry more than 7,000 vehicles.
At the recent ALSC Live online conference, sustainability was a key topic, with sessions on how the whole supply chain can be redefined for more sustainability, as well as discussions about specific measures such as reusable packaging and novel manufacturing techniques such as microfactories and outsourcing the manufacturing of sub-assemblies to local suppliers.
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