Programme will provide HVO fuel at diesel-equivalent prices until 2027 for qualifying operators, creating a transitional pathway toward eventual electrification of heavy goods vehicles
DP World has claimed a UK industry first with the launch of a new low-carbon truck programme at its London Gateway and Southampton logistics hubs.
With more than 4,000 truck visits per day at its two UK ports, DP World said it would help “at least 500” trucks switch to hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO), a renewable fuel understood to contain 85 per cent less carbon than diesel. Truck operators will also be able to access the HVO at the same cost as diesel, the group said.
The trial is being run in partnership with fuel providers Certas Energy and New Era Fuels, and will run until 2027 for operators who regularly truck fully laden import or export containers through London Gateway or Southampton.
The initiative also aims to create a pathway for operators to transition to fully electric HGVs.
Every truck that visits a DP World UK port with a loaded container more than 90 times over a three-month period will qualify for up to 5,000 litres of HVO per vehicle per port.
John Trenchard, vice-president for sustainable international supply chains at DP World, said: “Cargo owners and freight forwarders can significantly reduce their supply chain scope three emissions if they use trucking companies that participate in the programme.
“This is an innovative first for the container sector and we estimate that more than 30,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide could be reduced each year if all our trucking partners register. Our hope is to encourage early adoption as a transitional step towards the eventual goal of electrification.
“With the forthcoming launch of the new driver welfare facility at Southampton, we’re delighted to be doing more for road hauliers, and we’re confident that the trial will mirror the success of our industry leading Modal Shift and Carbon Inset Programmes.”
Richard Smith, managing director at the Road Haulage Association, commented: “Hauliers want to reduce their emissions, and our recent Net Zero Survey highlighted how operators see low carbon fuels achieving this as an interim step to Net Zero.
“Appropriately sourced HVO offers a way for them to do this, and we welcome DP World’s ‘Low Carbon Truck Programme’ together with the accompanying carbon literacy training to support hauliers on this journey.”
The Low Carbon Truck Programme will be funded by the Energy Transition Contribution which is levied on all Import Laden Containers transiting DP World UK port facilities.
