Maersk Line has achieved its 2020 target of reducing CO₂ emissions by 25%,eight years ahead of schedule from its benchmark of 2007 levels.

Not resting on its laurels the company has now set itself a new target of achieving a 40% reduction in CO₂ by 2020.

“By cutting our CO₂ we’ve also lowered the CO₂ emissions of our customers, thereby helping them meet their own CO₂ targets,” says Morten Engelstoft, chief operating officer, Maersk Line.

“Benchmarking data makes it possible for all customers to compare their shipping suppliers based on CO₂ performance. Maersk Line experts help customers implement such benchmarking schemes to make CO₂ part of the buying decision.”

According to the line, there is an increased environmental awareness among customers.

It is estimated that shipping carries 90% of globally traded goods and, according to Engelstoft, there is an increased environmental awareness among its customers.

“While shipping is by far the most energy efficient way to transport cargo over long distances, the contribution of CO₂ to the atmosphere is 3 to 4% of the global annual total,” he mentions.

Maersk Line reached its target through a combination of operational efficiency, network and voyage optimisation, slow steaming and technical innovation.

“We will hit the 40% target with more of the same,” he states. “Other important factors will be the continued cooperation with our vessel leasing partners to retrofit their ships, and the arrival this year and next of the Triple-E vessels, which will be the largest and most energy efficient ships on the water.”