The Oakland Board of Port Commissioners approved an ordinance that will make huge strides in reducing emissions from cargo handling equipment at TraPac, a key marine terminal at the Oakland Seaport.

Port Commissioners unanimously voted to amend terminal operator TraPac’s lease to include green upgrades to cargo handling equipment at its terminal facilities.

“This is a vital step towards our plan to become a zero-emissions seaport,” said Port Board President Barbara Leslie. “These investments in hybrid cargo handling equipment will cut diesel emissions by 95 percent.”

TraPac will retrofit three rubber-tired gantry cranes (RTGs), converting them from diesel fuel to hybrid-diesel fuel, reducing emissions from this equipment by 95%. This transformation will take place by the end of 2024, subject to Trapac securing grant funding.

“This landmark lease agreement will bring the port closer to its goal of achieving zero emissions operations,” said Port Executive Director Danny Wan. “We have multiple projects underway that are modernizing the seaport and building the Port of Oakland into a hub of zero emissions innovations.”

TraPac will also purchase four new hybrid RTGs by the end of 2024, which will similarly reduce emissions by 95%.

“We appreciate the fact that our tenant, TraPac, is collaborating with us on the large investments needed to implement these major changes in cargo handling equipment,” said Port of Oakland Maritime Director Bryan Brandes. “Oakland is an efficient and convenient seaport for importers and exporters and TraPac is stepping up by going green.”

The Port of Oakland is providing a financial incentive for TraPac. It will reimburse TraPac up to 35%, or $945,000 – whichever is less – for the cost of the RTG retrofits. While TraPac, alone, will finance the cost of the four new hybrid RTGs.

The passage of this legislation is significant because it is the first time a terminal operator has been called upon in a Port of Oakland lease agreement to upgrade cargo handling equipment to significantly reduce emissions.

TraPac has been operating at the Port of Oakland since 1991. The company underwent a two-year expansion project beginning in 2016 that nearly doubled its footprint at the port. TraPac’s latest investment highlights their confidence in the Port of Oakland as they invest in long-term success through upgrades of their facilities and equipment.

DHL and Formula 1 are taking sustainable logistics to new heights within their partnership for the last years with a new initiative this season. DHL is introducing its first truck fleet running on biofuel, deploying 18 new trucks this season to support Formula 1 in its goal of becoming Net Zero by 2030. The new trucks, capable of running on HVO100 drop-in fuel, will be delivering at all European Formula 1 races in 2023. By doing so, each truck can reduce carbon emissions of minimum 60% when compared to standard fuels, with great potential for higher savings.

“Our partnership with Formula 1 also showcases our shared dedication to sustainability and reducing our carbon footprint. We consistently strive to make logistics more sustainable, and we are excited to introduce the inaugural fleet of trucks, running on a sustainable fuel this year,” says Arjan Sissing, Head of Global Brand Marketing at Deutsche Post DHL Group. “As an industry leader in green logistics, the 18 trucks further contribute to a lower emission DHL fleet, where we show to our fans and customers that it is possible to bring the excitement of Formula 1 races around the world in a sustainable way.”

The new trucks reduce carbon emissions while maintaining the same level of performance in terms of load capacity and travel distance as their diesel counterparts. Also, the handling of biofuel is safer than bunkering diesel from an environmental and security perspective. Paul Fowler, Head of DHL Motorsports Logistics adds: “Each truck can therefore transport up to 40 tons and travel up to 3,500 kilometers per 1,000 liter tank. For the European F1 leg the trucks run entirely on HVO100, which is a second-generation biofuel, meeting the standard EN15940 for paraffin fuels, as well as a drop-in fuel.” By using HVO100, Deutsche Post DHL Group adheres to the EU’s Renewable Energy Directive. Due to their significant sustainability impact, DHL and Formula 1 are planning to expand the use of these sustainably powered trucks in the coming years, as part of their ongoing efforts to minimize their environmental footprint.

“We operate on a global scale and DHL plays a critical role in delivering the races and helping us address the logistical impact we have as a World Championship” says Ellen Jones, Head of ESG at Formula 1. “Together we are continually looking for more sustainable solutions, and through innovations such as the biofueled trucks we’re able to take significant steps forward in reducing our carbon emissions and achieving our sustainability goal of being Net Zero by 2030. It is wonderful to see partners like DHL share the same drive and commitment to creating a more sustainable Formula 1.”

Creating a more environmentally sustainable future has been a key part of the partnership and DHL and F1 have actively taken steps to reduce their carbon footprint. This includes testing more advanced technologies for the future, leveraging multimodal transport solutions, including overland and ocean freight, and using more Boeing 777 aircrafts, which reduce carbon emissions by 18% compared to traditional aircraft, the 747. DHL also equips its trucks with GPS to monitor fuel consumption and optimize routes. This season, the DHL motorsport team will cover around 150,000km, transporting up to 1,400 tons of freight per race. In addition to the race cars, tires, spare parts, and fuel, broadcasting and hospitality equipment are also transported to the desired destination. DHL also provides comprehensive track and trace of the cargo while in transit, as well as custom brokerage, pickup, and customs clearance services.

As part of Deutsche Post DHL Group’s Sustainability Roadmap to accelerate sustainable business by 2030, the company is investing €7 billion in clean logistics operations to reduce emissions. The funds will focus on sustainable aviation fuels, road fleet electrification, and climate-neutral building design. The introduction of sustainable fuels on long haul road transport is also included in this investment plan.

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. announced that it has established its wholly indirectly owned new company in the USA, called MOL Switch LLC to invest in startups developing decarbonizing technologies in the energy sector. MOL Switch will invest USD 100 million in total over the next 3 years.

MOL Switch aims to access innovation, build new networks, explore new business opportunities, and expand our human capital by investing in startups developing technologies and business models that help decarbonize our group companies and society. MOL Switch will invest in the Climate Tech field, including technologies related to next-generation clean energy, carbon removal, and storage batteries. Climate Tech is defined as technologies that are focused on reducing GHG emissions or addressing the impacts of climate change.

MOL positions the environmental strategy as one of the main strategies in its new management plan, “BLUE ACTION 2035” and set a group-wide goal of achieving Net Zero Emissions by 2050 under “MOL Group Environmental Vision 2.2.” Through the investment activities by MOL Switch, MOL group aims to create a new added value by combining the new ideas and technologies of the startups with our resources and to realize decarbonization not only for our group companies but also society.

MOL Switch Company Profile