DP World Launches Carbon Inset Program to Help Importers Cut Value Chain Emissions

Multinational logistics firm DP World announced the launch of a new trial carbon reduction program at its UK logistics hubs, aimed at helping cargo importers cut their emissions.

Unlike traditional carbon offset credits, which compensate for emissions through external projects like tree planting, inset credits reflect a tangible reduction in emissions achieved directly within a company’s own supply chain.

DP World’s inset credits are generated through its subsidiary, Unifeeder, which deploys incrementally lower-carbon fuels across its Northern European shipping network. These credits are verified and pooled, allowing registered importers to access independently certified carbon credits. For businesses, this represents a transparent and measurable way to cut Scope-3 emissions – indirectly produced along the supply chain, while demonstrating sustainability commitments to customers, DP World said.

Under the new six month trial, starting January 2025, the new Carbon Inset Program will reward importers with 50kg CO₂e of carbon credits for every loaded import container they move through DP World’s UK terminals, located at London Gateway in the Port of London, and Southampton. These independently certified credits, issued quarterly, will showcase participating companies’ efforts to reduce indirect (Scope 3) emissions in their supply chains.

John Trenchard, Vice President, Commercial & Supply Chain, DP World in the UK, said:

“Insetting carbon emissions is a transparent, direct and pragmatic approach with immediate measurable impact for our customers. By providing easy access to an independently certified inset program, we aim to create better awareness and encourage the adoption of more sustainable practices. By participating in the trial, a world first, import cargo owners can actively contribute to global decarbonization efforts while aligning with their own sustainability goals.”

Established in 2005, Dubai-based DP World specializes in cargo logistics, port terminal operations, maritime services and free trade zones, with 82 marine and inland installations that handle some 70 million containers annually, amounting to about 10% of all global container traffic.

DP World said that the new program builds on its already-established Modal Shift Program, which reduced emissions for its partners by more than 17,000 tons in its first year. The company said that if 50% of import volume participates in the trial at DP World’s UK container terminals, this could replace over 11,000 tons of traditional fossil fuel with lower carbon marine fuels, equivalent to the reduction of 10,000 tons of carbon dioxide.

Christian Hoepfner, Director Group Decarbonisation at Unifeeder Group, said:

“At Unifeeder, we are committed to using alternative fuels to decarbonize our logistics solutions. We are supporting DP World in the UK in their innovative Carbon Inset Program by contributing verified GHG reductions generated on our vessels operating in Europe.”