UECC – Toyota Motor Europe, Ford of Europe, and another leading European vehicle manufacturer are taking significant strides towards reducing their logistics chain emissions by committing to United European Car Carriers’ (UECC) Sail for Change sustainability program. The program focuses on using vessels fueled by bioLNG (liquefied biomethane) for cargo transport across Europe, representing a major shift toward decarbonizing the maritime logistics sector.
Three automotive giants sign on to bioLNG-powered vessels to reduce emissions in Europe – Toyota Motor Europe, Ford of Europe, and Major European Vehicle Manufacturer Commit to BioLNG for UECC’s Sail for Change Program
This commitment is set to substantially lower emissions, with the combined annual reduction from these manufacturers estimated at around 80,000 tonnes of CO2, accounting for more than one-third of UECC’s global Scope 1 emissions from ship operations, which currently total approximately 220,000 tonnes.
A collaborative push for greener logistics
UECC’s CEO, Glenn Edvardsen, expressed enthusiasm for this collaboration: “We are thrilled that three of our major clients have decided to participate in Sail for Change. This demonstrates the power of industry collaboration in advancing decarbonisation. Those willing to invest in sustainable transport now will ultimately reap the rewards as new regulations give a commercial impetus for green operations.”
The participating vehicle manufacturers are expected to benefit from lower Scope 3 emissions (emissions related to their logistics operations), aligning with their broader environmental goals. Additionally, they will mitigate potential costs tied to the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS), as well as the forthcoming FuelEU Maritime regulations, which promote the use of low-carbon fuels in shipping.
BioLNG bunkering: A step towards carbon neutrality
Under the Sail for Change initiative, UECC has introduced bioLNG bunkering for its five dual-fuel LNG and multi-fuel Pure Car and Truck Carriers (PCTCs). These bunkering operations are facilitated through a partnership with Titan Clean Fuels at the Port of Zeebrugge. The bioLNG used is ISCC-EU certified, ensuring sustainable and verified emission reductions.
By offering carbon-neutral cargo loading across its port network, UECC allows customers to access verified emissions data through a CO2 registry that tracks the entire supply chain, enabling transparency and accountability.
Daniel Gent, UECC’s Energy & Sustainability Manager, highlighted the company’s pioneering role in adopting alternative fuels “UECC has made proactive strides in advancing industry adoption of alternative fuels over the past decade, having also piloted the use of biofuels. Bunkering of bioLNG marks another big step forward, both in reducing the carbon footprint of our clients and increasing demand for low-carbon fuels.”
Sail for Change gains momentum
UECC’s Sail for Change program has exceeded expectations, leading the company to extend its Green Gas Month initiative beyond its initial July timeframe. Gent noted that growing interest from industry participants has spurred UECC to consider expanding the program in the coming years.
“Our customers have ambitious decarbonisation targets and see that using alternative fuels can cut a significant swath of emissions from maritime transport. There is now also a regulatory payback from using a decarbonisation service. Given it will be more economical to use sustainable fuels at some point in the future, customers are keen to secure supplies now,” Gent explained.
Supporting industry sustainability goals
Jean Christophe Deville, Vice President of Supply Chain at Toyota Motor Europe, emphasized the importance of enhancing the sustainability of their logistics operations: “Sail for Change represents a great opportunity to help us realize our goal of becoming carbon neutral in Europe by 2040, and globally by 2050.”
UECC’s proactive approach toward sustainability, including early investments in biofuels and LNG-powered vessels, positions the company to surpass FuelEU Maritime compliance regulations until the late 2030s. The company’s goal of achieving net-zero operations by 2040 reflects its long-term commitment to environmental leadership in the maritime sector.
Glenn Edvardsen concluded “Sustainability has always been at the core of our business strategy, and we will continue to lead the way in adopting new alternative fuels. This aligns with the green operating regime for the benefit of the environment, our clients, and stakeholders.”
About UECC
United European Car Carriers (UECC) is a leading provider of sustainable short sea RoRo transportation in Europe. With a fleet of Pure Car and Truck Carriers (PCTCs), UECC is dedicated to delivering logistics solutions that prioritize sustainability. The company is committed to reducing its environmental impact through initiatives such as the Sail for Change program, leading the way in the use of alternative fuels and decarbonizing the maritime logistics sector.
Source United European Car Carriers