DP World’s container terminal at Southampton has achieved its greenest-ever year in 2022 after delivering a 55% reduction in net carbon emissions from its fleet and installations.
Southampton became the first port in the United Kingdom to switch fully to Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) last April.
Steve McCrindle, DP World’s port operations director at Southampton, commented, "We will use HVO for the entirety of 2023 and therefore expect a further 35% net reduction in carbon emissions from our fleet and installations by the end of the year, making for a 90% reduction compared with 2021. This sector-leading performance shows our commitment to playing our part in helping the UK meet its Net Zero 2050 policy."
In particular, HVO is a renewable biodiesel derived from sustainable sources which reduces levels of nitrogen oxide, particulate matter and carbon monoxide.
According to DP World, the switch from diesel to HVO at the port saves around 14,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide annually, the equivalent of taking more than 8,000 family cars off the roads.
At another UK box terminal in London Gateway, which is also run by DP World, the new approximately US$424 million fourth berth, which will lift capacity by a third when it opens in 2024, will be all-electric and the UK’s first all-electric terminal tractor is now in service.
Thus, combined with Southampton's numbers, this means around 300,000 trucks are taken off UK roads each year, saving emissions and reducing congestion.
DP World foresees a further US$1.2 billion for investment in the UK over the next 10 years.
