Biofuel used in race to meet carbon targets

The port, one of two deep water ports run by the company, reportedly became the first in the UK to eliminate fossil diesel from its operations entirely and transition to hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) last April.

DP World estimates the switch from diesel to HVO saves around 14,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide annually – the equivalent of taking more than 8,000 family cars off the roads.

“The transition away from fossil diesel means that the overwhelming majority of the fuel used at Southampton now comes from a green and renewable source,” said Steve McCrindle, DP World’s port operations director at Southampton.

The company has pledged to use HVO for the remainder of the year and expects a further 35% reduction in carbon emissions as a result. This will mean an overall reduction of 90% by the end of the year compared with 2021.

DP World is investing up to US$500 million over the next five year to cut carbon emissions across all its operations. The expected reduction of 700,000 tonnes represents a 20% cut from 2021 and will come through electrification, renewables and alternative fuels.