AP Moller-Maersk and Danone have announced a partnership to implement biofuels in the shipping of food products worldwide. The initiative will employ Maersk’s Eco Delivery Ocean product, which relies on bio-diesel or bio-methanol derived exclusively from waste feedstocks across the shipping company’s fleet.
This collaboration aims to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, with Danone projecting a decrease of over 40% on a well-to-wake basis compared to traditional fossil fuels. The French food and beverage company has committed to aligning its emissions reduction strategy with the Science-Based Targets Initiative (SBTi) and is working towards achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.
Maersk has set its own net-zero goal for 2040, becoming the first shipping company with a pathway to net-zero emissions that has received SBTi approval. Emilio de la Cruz, Maersk’s managing director for South West Europe, emphasized the importance of rapid emissions reductions for both companies, stating that significant industry players like Danone could lead the way in decarbonizing supply chains.
The use of the Eco Delivery product is gaining traction; in addition to Danone, companies such as Volvo, Primark, and Nike have also committed to utilizing the service to advance their sustainability goals.
Despite this progress, the transition faces challenges, particularly regarding the cost of green fuels, which are currently reported to be two to three times more expensive than their fossil fuel counterparts. Maersk representatives have urged regulatory bodies, including the International Maritime Organization, to implement financial mechanisms to help bridge this cost gap. They caution that without such measures, it may take another decade for green fuels to become more economically viable than traditional fossil fuels.
