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APL reports 47.4% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions

An assessment conducted by the nonprofit Business for Social Responsibility compared containers transported per kilometer in 2018 to 2009.

   APL on Monday reported a 47.4% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions per container transported per kilometer in 2018 compared to its base level in 2009.
   APL said an environmental performance assessment of its 2018 carbon dioxide emission data was conducted by the global nonprofit Business for Social Responsibility’s Clean Cargo Working Group (CCWG). The shipping line said the data was verified by Lloyd’s Register Group according to the clean cargo verification protocol and principles of the ISO14064-3:2006 standard.
   “As part of the CMA CGM Group, APL is firmly committed towards the protection of the environment and the reduction of its carbon footprint,” said Dennis Yee, APL’s global head of safety, security and environment. “Building upon the successful results we have achieved in this area, we are determined to persevere in our pursuits for excellence in sustainable shipping.”
   APL said it is aligned with the CMA CGM Group’s commitment to reduce its carbon dioxide emissions per container transported per kilometer by 30% between 2015 and 2025. It added that the Group achieved a 50% reduction between 2005 and 2015.
   The shipping line said it is taking a holistic approach and driving operational efficiencies and fleet and voyage optimization and deploying a fuel-efficient fleet of vessels. 
   APL said in gearing up for the 2020 global sulfur cap it will be using low-sulfur-compliant fuel oil across its vessel fleet; employing advanced air quality systems on some vessels that clean emissions before they are released into the atmosphere; and deploying liquefied natural gas-fueled vessels according to vessel plans of the CMA CGM Group. APL will make further inroads in environmental protection and ocean conservation as the Group takes delivery of nine new 22,000-TEU LNG-powered ships from 2020 onward, it said.
   Reducing air pollutants, APL vessels fitted with cold ironing capabilities use shore power while at berth in U.S. West Coast ports and in Yantian after a successful pilot with the port.

Kim Link Wills

Senior Editor Kim Link-Wills has written about everything from agriculture as a reporter for Illinois Agri-News to zoology as editor of the Georgia Tech Alumni Magazine. Her work has garnered awards from the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education, the Georgia Institute of Technology and the Magazine Association of the Southeast. Prior to serving as managing editor of American Shipper, Kim spent more than four years with XPO Logistics.