DB Schenker is the first to switch its entire LCL (Less than Container Load) volumes with CMA CGM, on a regular basis, to a carbon-free production. The company has signed a purchase contract with over 2,500 tons of biofuel, for all LCL transports and additional FCL (Full Container Load) containers with the world leader in shipping, CMA CGM. This means that from now on, the partners will operate DB Schenker’s LCL consolidation boxes, sourced from advanced biofuels, in overallocation to arrive at net carbon zero-emission well-to-wake compared to fossil fuel.

The companies make a major step towards decarbonizing ocean freight. This is only possible by joining forces to offer green container transport, which immediately reduces the environmental footprint of maritime transport. Once more, DB Schenker’s commitment to sustainable development is backed by concrete and tangible actions. Similar to DB Schenker’s other sustainable air freight product, Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) customers are able to truly strengthen their decarbonization agenda.

We are excited to make a significant investment in reducing the CO2 footprint in container sea freight. Running on biofuel marks another important step towards greener supply chains and pays into our overall sustainability agenda in ocean freight. Our goal is to become sustainability leader and net carbon zero by 2040, and we are ambitiously taking the lead together with CMA CGM.

Thorsten Meincke
Thorsten Meincke
Board Member for Air and Ocean Freight at DB Schenker

With this, DB Schenker offers their customers exclusively to book the “carbon zero” LCL option with immediate effect, and they will receive a certificate of the emission reduction for their climate balance sheet. Seven thousand tons CO2e well-to-wake of greenhouse gas emissions can potentially be reduced through cooperation, and this makes it one of the most significant deals in ocean freight logistics to date. By over-allocating biofuel to these TEUs, DB Schenker insets all upstream emissions, making all LCL containers handled with CMA CGM truly 100% net carbon zero.

As a pioneer and a leader in sustainable shipping and logistics, the CMA CGM group has pledged that alternative fuels will cover at least 10 percent of its consumption by 2023. We already offer our customers a range of turnkey solutions to tackle their carbon footprint. Biofuel is one of the solutions to decarbonize shipping, and we are delighted about the bold partnership we are launching today with DB Schenker. CMA CGM continues to invest heavily in research and development alongside its industrial partners to identify the energy sources of the future.


Olivier Nivoix

Executive Vice President, Lines, CMA CGM Group

Decarbonizing Ocean Freight with Biofuel

Biofuel is the power of today: It can be fed into regular operations without infrastructure or supply chain adjustments; it is practical and suitable for everyday use. It is produced from waste materials, such as those derived from used cooking and vegetable oils.

Published: February 2022