Inditex, the parent company of Zara, is working with Maersk to become one of its first customers to incorporate alternative fuels in all its inbound routes with the carrier.
Maersk is replacing fossil fuels on its ships with green fuels like green methanol or second generation biodiesel based on waste feedstocks as part of its Eco Delivery Ocean programme.
The logistics firm explains this is expected to deliver an estimated reduction of more than 80% in GHG emissions compared to conventional sources.
Maersk's Eco Delivery product gives customers the chance to handle transport completely with certified green fuels for a fixed cost. The greenhouse gas savings are confirmed to customers with an externally verified certificate and these transports will be exempted from EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) charges by Maersk in the future.
Managing director of Maersk’s Area South West Europe Emilio De La Cruz explains: “A lot of customers are asking us for a solution to reduce their Scope 3 emissions, and the first customers are buying this premium solution for their whole cargo under Maersk Bill of Lading now. We are happy to serve this demand with Eco Delivery on an instant basis."
Inditex head of import, export and transport Abel Lopez comments: "This collaboration is a great example of how boosting innovative solutions with dedicated partners is key to fight climate change. Through this joint initiative with Maersk, we are making significant strides in reducing emissions associated with our sea freight. This project aligns with our goal to reach net zero emissions in 2040 and contributes to scale alternative fuels with a significant reduced carbon footprint."
De la Cruz adds: "We know Inditex is a very responsibly and sustainably thinking partner and customer and going all the way on their ocean cargo is good news for the environment and climate."
Maersk hopes to become a net zero company across all business areas by 2040. Inditex is also boosting multimodal transport and is collaborating in Maersk's new rail solution pilot, RENFE and Cepsa in the South of Spain which was launched in the summer.
Maersk says these close collaborations are essential in order to deliver on its ambitious and mutual decarbonisation goals.
