Bollore Logistics offers CO2 reduction plan based on book-and-claim system

French logistics company Bollore Logistics (Bollore) will offer a book-and-claim option based on biofuels for its customers to reduce carbon emissions.

PHOTO: A large cargo container ship out to sea. Getty Images

The system will allow Bollore to book shipping services with different carriers on "any trade lanes" and claim emissions reductions through the use of biofuel across carriers' freight vessels.

For this program, Bollore specifies that biofuel used for voyages will be derived only from used cooking oil (UCOME), excluding "all palm oils related biofuels."

Bollore guarantees its customers “up to an 84% reduction in [carbon dioxide equivalent] CO2e emissions compared to conventional shipping, with respect to the physical limit as per Smart Freight Center guidelines” using this system.

It added that this option would be available either on a spot basis for one shipment or on a contractual basis for a period of one year or more.

Alternative strategy to lower CO2 emissions

“The offer follows the book and claim concept”, Bollore explains on its website, “no matter where the fuel is used, the environmental benefits will still be associated to the one who bought it.”

Book-and-claim is a supply chain model that allows shipowners to purchase emission reduction credits from other shipowners that have already invested in low- and zero-emission fuels. The carbon savings are then documented in the buyers’ emissions dashboard and audited annually by a third party.

It helps buyers balance out emissions from their ships without investing in new fuel infrastructure, vessels or new technologies.

This model is currently in practice in the sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) industry. SAF suppliers, including BP and SkyNRG, provide customers with book and claim benefits.

In the shipping sector, German logistics provider DB Schenker opted for this system in August to claim a reduction of around 3,000 mt of CO2e emissions this year, through the use of at least 1,000 mt of biofuel on Hapag Lloyd’s fleet.

Meanwhile, industry alliances like the Global Maritime Forum and Zero Emission Buyers' Alliance also advocated book-and-claim to foster zero-emission shipping.  

By Konica Bhatt

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