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Against the backdrop of the recent COP28 Conference in Dubai, DP World has launched a series of key initiatives to demonstrate its commitment to decarbonise its marine and port operations. Joining the First Movers Coalition, the group has committed to at least 5% of its short-sea shipping fleet to be powered by zero-emission fuels by 2030, through hybrid-electric and methanol-enabled vessels.
This year, P&O Ferries, part of DP World’s Marine Services division, introduced the world’s first ferry designed with a hybrid diesel-electric power plant, while Unifeeder Group, another part of the group, has signed a long-term time charter agreement for two new methanol-capable container feeder vessels, which will be deployed in Europe.
Group Chief Operating Officer, Marine Services, Jesper Kristensen, added: “Decarbonisation is a core focus for DP World, and as part of the First Movers Coalition, we are able to work collectively with like-minded organisations to actively drive positive change.”
DP World Marine Services has reduced its carbon footprint by more than 16% in 2023 from its 2019 baseline. Much of the reduction has come from optimising its vessels’ routes and scheduling to ensure high levels of utilisation and reduced idling time . The division has outlined plans to further reduce its carbon footprint, with a targeted 25% reduction by 2030. This will be achieved through an enhance focus on hull coating and hull cleaning; the introduction of biofuels; and the phasing in of around 20 new vessels to replace older, less efficient ships.
Alongside COP28, DP World has also signed an MOU with Singapore-based Pacific International Lines (PIL) to jointly develop green solutions to decarbonise global supply chains. In the short term both parties will collaborate on trial shipments between Jebel Ali Port in Dubai and destinations within PIL’s network, with initiatives to reduce their green house gas footprint. This will include shipments on PIL’s vessels powered by a biofuel blend, biofuel bunkering and deploying container handling equipment at terminals that run on renewable energy to handle the shipments.
Over the longer term, the companies will explore expanding this partnership to include other ports within DP World’s global network, and using other alternative fuels, such as e-LNG, green methanol or green ammonia in PIL’s vessel operations and bunkering.
According to Tiemen Meester, Group Chief Operating Officer, Ports & Terminals, DP World, “Decarbonisation is the single biggest concern for DP World outside the constraints and the physical movement of goods. We have already committed to becoming carbon-neutral by 2040 and achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, but we must explore partnerships with companies that share our ambitions and technology to be deployed right now for quicker results.”
Continuing this theme, the group has also entered into a partnership with global terminal operator APM Terminals to launch the Zero Emission Port Alliance at COP28. The Alliance’s mission is to make battery-electric container handling equipment affordable, accessible and attractive this decade through collective action, as a catalyst for the creation of zero-emission ports.
Meester adds: “Collective, industry-wide action is needed to achieve affordable and attractive battery-electric container handling equipment that can be used globally. The Zero Emission Port Alliance is a results-driven coalition with a clear focus, set up to support and deliver tangible short-term action.”
