DP World Delivers ‘Milestone’ Carbon Savings Across UK Supply Chains

DP World has revealed that it has helped customers reduce more than 160,000 tonnes of CO2e emissions across UK supply chains in less than three years, highlighting the growing role of ports and logistics providers in supporting supply chain decarbonisation.

Image: DP World

The global operator said in a press release that “major milestones” have been achieved through a combination of increased rail freight usage, lower-carbon road trucking, and the expansion of carbon inset credits.

Such initiatives that are becoming increasingly relevant for fresh produce importers and exporters who are seeking to reduce Scope 3 emissions, without compromising supply chain efficiency, reliability or competitiveness. 

Food and fresh produce businesses face increasing pressure from retailers, consumers and regulators to demonstrate progress on sustainability targets while maintaining resilient and cost-effective supply chains.

John Trenchard, Vice President – Sustainable Supply Chains at DP World, said the achievement demonstrates the value of collaboration across ports, logistics providers and customers to decarbonise supply chains at scale. 

“Exceeding 160,000 tonnes of CO2e savings in just three years is a major milestone,” Trenchard explained. “We see the net zero economy as a key factor in our future growth and our ability to deliver for customers. 

“Through initiatives spanning rail freight, lower-carbon fuels, electrification and carbon inset credits, we are helping customers reduce emissions while maintaining efficient, resilient and commercially sustainable supply chains,” he added. 

Modal Shift Programme 

A significant contributor to the achievement has been DP World's Modal Shift Programme, launched in September 2023. 

The programme has increased the share of rail freight moving through DP World's Southampton container terminal from 21% to more than 30%, moving more than 200,000 truck journeys from UK roads to rail.

For fresh produce supply chains, where reliability and transit times remain critical, rail's growing role offers an opportunity to reduce emissions while maintaining efficient inland distribution links between ports, distribution centres and retail networks.

Low Carbon Truck Programme

DP World has also expanded its Low Carbon Truck Programme (LCTP), which has attracted more than 1,500 registered trucks serving the London Gateway and Southampton ports. 

During the first phase of the initiative, participating hauliers were able to switch from conventional diesel to Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) without incurring additional fuel costs.

The programme has since progressed with the introduction of the Electric Vehicle Introduction and Transition Accelerator (EVITA) trial at Southampton. 

The scheme allows hauliers to operate electric heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) at the same cost as diesel trucks during a 12-week trial period, enabling operators to assess performance under real-world conditions.

Carbon Inset Programme 

Alongside modal shift and alternative-fuel initiatives, DP World has continued to expand its Carbon Inset Programme (CIP), which was launched in January 2025. 

Registrations have now exceeded 250,000 TEUs after the emissions reduction credits available through the scheme were increased from 50kg to 250kg of CO2e per container.

Earlier this year, DP World UK also introduced Container Terminal Inset Certificates, which are generated through emissions reductions achieved at Southampton. 

The certificates allow customers to account for emissions reductions resulting from terminal electrification, renewable electricity use, and lower-carbon fuels, including HVO, within their own supply chain decarbonisation strategies. 

For fresh produce importers, the continued expansion of rail freight, alternative-fuel transport and verified carbon reduction programmes could provide additional pathways to lower supply chain emissions as sustainability reporting requirements continue to evolve.