DP World launches carbon reduction trial at UK logistics hubs

DP World is piloting a new carbon reduction initiative at its UK logistics hubs, London Gateway and Southampton, in an effort to help cargo importers cut emissions.

Starting Jan. 1, 2025, the six-month trial of the Carbon Inset Programme will reward importers with 50 kilograms of CO₂e carbon credits for every loaded import container moved through DP World’s UK terminals. The independently certified credits, issued quarterly, will allow participating companies to demonstrate efforts to reduce indirect (Scope 3) emissions in their supply chains.

Unlike traditional carbon offset credits, which mitigate emissions through external projects such as tree planting, inset credits reflect reductions achieved directly within a company’s own supply chain.

The credits will be generated through DP World’s subsidiary, Unifeeder, which uses lower-carbon fuels across its Northern European shipping network. Verified credits are pooled and made available to registered importers.

“This represents a transparent and measurable way for businesses to cut Scope 3 emissions while demonstrating sustainability commitments to customers,” DP World said in a statement.

The trial builds on the company’s Modal Shift Programme, which reduced emissions for its partners by more than 17,000 tonnes in its first year.

“At DP World, we are constantly exploring ways to reduce carbon emissions across our customers’ supply chains,” said John Trenchard, vice-president of commercial and supply chain at DP World in the UK. “Insetting carbon emissions is a transparent, direct and pragmatic approach with immediate measurable impact for our customers.

“By providing easy access to an independently certified inset program, we aim to create better awareness and encourage the adoption of more sustainable practices. By participating in the trial, a world first, import cargo owners can actively contribute to global decarbonization efforts while aligning with their own sustainability goals.”

If 50 per cent of import volume at DP World’s UK container terminals participates in the trial, more than 11,000 tonnes of traditional fossil fuel could be replaced with lower-carbon marine fuels, reducing 10,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions.

Christian Hoepfner, director of group decarbonization at Unifeeder Group, said the company is committed to using alternative fuels to decarbonize logistics.

“We are supporting DP World in the UK in their innovative Carbon Inset Programme by contributing verified GHG reductions generated on our vessels operating in Europe,” Hoepfner said.

Businesses are encouraged to register for the trial before Dec. 31 to receive free carbon inset credits.