Orient Overseas Container Line Ltd. (OOCL), a leader in global container transportation and logistics, has partnered with prominent companies including IKEA and Kyocera to embark on a groundbreaking initiative aimed at reducing carbon emissions in the maritime supply chain. This collaboration marks a significant step in the transition towards low-carbon shipping, with the first biofuel-powered voyage commencing in early August.
The vessel involved in this maiden voyage utilized a B24 biofuel blend, a sustainable fuel composed of 24% Used Cooking Oil Methyl Ester (UCOME), certified by the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC), mixed with Very Low Sulfur Fuel Oil (VLSFO). This blend replaces traditional fossil fuels and has the potential to significantly reduce carbon emissions, positioning biofuel as a practical transitional solution in the industry’s journey towards full decarbonization.
As part of this initiative, the carbon savings accrued during the voyage will be attributed to OOCL’s participating partners, effectively reducing the carbon footprint associated with their cargo. In recognition of their contribution to this pioneering effort, each partner will receive a Green Certificate. This certificate serves as credible documentation of the carbon emissions saved by opting for biofuel.
This process of carbon savings verification is facilitated by the Global Shipping Business Network (GSBN), a non-profit blockchain consortium dedicated to advancing sustainable global trade. GSBN’s blockchain technology ensures that the carbon savings are tracked through a transparent, traceable, and immutable record, further enhancing the credibility of the Green Certificate. The emission savings are calculated using the Well-to-Wake approach, a comprehensive method that measures lifecycle carbon emissions from the production of the fuel to its consumption during ship operations.
Since 2023, OOCL has been progressively incorporating biofuel into the operations of select vessels as part of its broader strategy to transition towards decarbonization. This latest collaboration underscores OOCL’s firm commitment to reducing the environmental impact of ocean shipping, while simultaneously delivering first-class services to its partners. By promoting the use of biofuels in low-carbon shipping, OOCL is not only advancing its own sustainability goals but also actively supporting its partners in achieving theirs.
Michael Xu, Director of Trades at OOCL, highlighted the significance of this initiative, stating, “Working with partners on low-carbon shipping is a crucial milestone in OOCL’s environmental and sustainability journey. This collaboration enables both OOCL and our partners to make significant strides towards their respective decarbonization roadmaps. I extend my sincere thanks to our partners, including IKEA, Kyocera, and others, for their trust and support in OOCL and for their participation in this inaugural voyage. We are eager to establish additional long-lasting sustainability collaborations with all our partners and stakeholders to reduce emissions along the supply chain and to create a greener future together.”
About OOCL
Orient Overseas Container Line and OOCL are trade names for transportation services provided by Orient Overseas Container Line Limited (OOCLL) and OOCL (Europe) Limited respectively, both of which are wholly-owned subsidiaries of Orient Overseas (International) Limited, a public company (0316) listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. Headquartered in Hong Kong, OOCL is one of the world’s largest integrated international container transportation and logistics companies, with approximately 130 offices in more than 100 major cities. OOCL links Asia, Europe, the Americas, Africa, and Oceania, offering transportation services to all major trading economies. The company is an industry leader in utilizing the latest technologies to enhance global supply chains.
About GSBN
The Global Shipping Business Network (GSBN) is a neutral, not-for-profit consortium dedicated to enabling efficient, paperless, and sustainable growth in global trade through its advanced data infrastructure and ecosystem of partners. GSBN fosters trusted collaboration across the shipping industry, driving greater efficiencies, promoting paperless trade, and supporting the decarbonization transition. The GSBN ecosystem includes shipping lines, terminals, banks, application developers, and other consortia, collectively accounting for over half of the world’s container handling capacity.