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Sustainability

Arguably the biggest challenge facing humanity now is climate change. Our sector does not have the best reputation in terms of climate change, but that is rather unfair.

About sustainability

The facts

Shipping produces 2,2% of total greenhouse gases. But it carries 90% of world trade, 12 billion tonnes per year. And it does so with better energy efficiency than any other transport mode. A big ship such as a large deep-sea container vessel or a cape size bulk carrier emits 3 grams of CO2 per tonne/kilometre, and a midsized ro-ro ship emits between 10 and 15 grams. A truck 80 grams, a cargo aeroplane more than 450 grams and a train anywhere between 20 and 40 grams depending on the source of energy.

More than in any other industry, shipping companies worldwide have taken tremendous measures to prevent and reduce pollution of air, seas and oceans in the past decades. We have been adjusting to regulations on sulphur emissions, noise pollution, ballast water, fuel reduction and many more.

CLdN Initiatives

At CLdN we even went so far as to prepare for future legislation. Our latest six ships are LNG ready. Two more were ordered, complete with a 320 cubic meter capacity C type LNG fuel storage tank located on the main deck. We are currently setting up an LNG supply chain in Rotterdam and Zeebrugge.

Intermodal transport is part of our DNA. We have always focussed on a workable balance between ferry, rail, barge and truck. By applying truck transport for the first and last mile instead of whole trajectories, we help relieve our highly congested roads and decrease CO2 emissions.

We provide the necessary resources, instructions and training to all our colleagues to ensure that their work is carried out without risk to the environment.

Besides opting for LNG as the fuel of the future, we use the best available techniques to minimize daily emissions in all of our activities:

  • by improving the engine types of our all our rolling equipment;
  • by ensuring effective and expedient incident control, to avoid accidental emissions;
  • by mapping, identifying and reducing empty kilometres in truck transport;

 

We continue to invest and take our responsibility for a cleaner future