Our Planet

As shared in 2021, our priority remains the reduction of our greenhouse gas emissions and the impact of these on our climate. Our learnings since then have shown us the full spectrum of environmental issues related to our business, and as the saying goes: “The more you know, the more you realise you don't know.” So, we continue to explore and embrace novel approaches and innovative solutions to reduce our environmental impact. 

In this section, we're excited to give you an inside look at what we're doing to tackle various environmental topics. From using green power to embracing innovation, we're committed to taking action that reduces the environmental footprint of our operations. We also believe in extending our high environmental standards to our value chain, including our suppliers, to create a sustainable future for everyone.

At Samskip, we are not just talking about sustainability; we are living it. We are relentless in our pursuit of delivering on our promises, and everyone at Samskip is striving and determined to integrate sustainability at the core of our business. We have a vision of where we want to go and are becoming more aware of the issues associated with our operations. We are always researching and learning, striving to minimise our environmental footprint and contribute to a sustainable future for all. 

We believe in a model of economic development that respects the limits of the Earth and the perspectives of future generations. But it is not enough to talk about sustainability; we all need to take action. We are excited to share our highlights for 2022 with you.

We doubled the number of vessels using 100% biofuels to four, saving 89% of CO₂e per vessel compared to traditional fossil fuels.

We railed over 4000 containers on our new train routes from Duisburg in Germany to Katrineholm and Nynashamn in Sweden, which would have been trucked before.

We received the EcoVadis Gold medal for Samskip Multimodal, with a score that places us in the top 2% of most sustainable companies among our peers. This is a great achievement following the Silver medal that we received the year before.

As a major player in the transportation industry, we are acutely aware of the environmental challenges that come with it. It is time to double down on our efforts to mitigate our impact. Due to the nature of our operations, we recognise that we hold a powerful position to encourage our partners to join us in reducing emissions. We commit fully to endorsing this role.

With innovative solutions and new technologies emerging constantly, we are dedicated to a significantly more ambitious carbon reduction schedule that is mandated by the Science Based Targets Initiative, reducing our emissions by at least 50% by 2030 and fully decarbonising our operations by 2040. As we move towards these goals, we must diversify our opportunities and remain vigilant in our performance monitoring.

Although GHG emissions remain our primary concern, we must dedicate attention to other issues as well. Environmental performance criteria must drive our operations to protect land and marine ecosystems. Circularity is the next logical step in that direction. We work hard to ensure our waste management allows us to reuse, recycle and treat all the waste generated.

Despite many unknowns, we strive to be the pioneering leader in developing and innovating sustainable freight transport.

Climate

The urgency of climate change is asserted by clear signs of globally spread impacts on Earth’s ecosystems. We encourage our readers to look at the last report from the IPCC, which is fuelling our determination when working towards a better Samskip.

We at Samskip think it is important that the sustainability report section on our climate strategy reflects these aspects:

Measuring Samskip's emissions

Samskip’s carbon footprinting system is our compass. With it, we avoid getting lost at sea. The more precise the tool is, the more chance of reaching the destination. Using primary fuel data, combined with default data where necessary, we calculate an accurate picture of Samskip’s emissions, and the efficiency of implemented reduction initiatives.

During 2023, we are committed to updating our carbon footprinting methodology, which will also be integrated into our IT systems, including MySamskip Customer Portal. This new methodology will be aligned with the new ISO14083 standards on carbon footprinting.

The emissions provided aggregate with the data from the Global Logistics Emission Council.

Why ISO14083?

ISO14083 will allow us to harmonise the quantification methods and reporting criteria of emissions from transport operations in our value chain; it will facilitate aggregation processes and will enhance transparency and comparability. The use of this standard will allow Samskip to be in line with the framework proposed by the GLEC, a universal method for logistics emissions accounting^[2].

What is illustrated here are Samskip’s actions towards CO2e emissions reduction by scope of emissions to facilitate the understanding of the expected of results on the reduction strategy. Scope 3 measures are mentioned in the sub-section Our Suppliers.

Scope 1

The GHG Protocol describes scope 1 emissions as direct GHG emissions occurring from sources owned or controlled by the company. 

What Samskip has done and is doing to reduce direct CO2e emissions from its operations:

Mobile combustion – Company-owned or leased vehicles

Samskip fully integrates green logistics into its core business model to become a pioneering leader. The most impactful transition will come from the path and speed at which low-carbon technologies will replace fossil-fuelled vessels and trucks. The plan is set to transform Samskip’s fleet completely with low-carbon technologies by investing in green power and green innovation. In a previous chapter discussing green logistics, we have touched upon this transition. Why can’t the change go faster? Several factors slow the transition: the price of new technologies, the availability of technology, and the prices of services offered to customers. However, Samskip is a transportation company and always delivers!

Stationary combustion – Natural gas and other fuels

Samskip’s offices in Iceland and Norway are fossil fuel-free, running purely on a combination of renewable energies. The objective is to make all Samskip offices zero carbon and highly energy efficient.

Scope 2

Scope 2 accounts for CO2e emissions from the generation of purchased electricity consumed by Samskip (GHG Protocol).

What Samskip has done and is doing to promote clean energy:

Energy consumption

• Two roads, one destination – energy efficiency and carbon reduction will allow Samskip to reduce the footprint of its electricity consumption.

Energy efficiency measures

• SRM35+ glass (carbon cutting glass reducing the need for air conditioning).

Carbon reduction measures

• 100% of electricity purchased is renewable in 18 of our locations worldwide.
• 35% of our offices are using renewable electricity.

The road ahead

With the systematisation of our carbon reporting, we can launch our reduction strategy in line with Science-Based Targets and embark on the journey to Net Zero by 2040. To contribute to the objectives of limiting temperature increases established by the Paris Agreement, we will develop and commit to mid-term and long-term reduction targets by 2024.

Circularity

Waste management

Samskip does not waste any opportunity to protect the planet. The principles of circularity are integrated, one step at a time, by implementing measures of reduction, recycling, and adequate treatment. Samskip’s waste management system includes the following:

• A waste classification system facilitating the treatment and recycling of different waste flows.
• A waste sorting system, supported in Iceland by a waste sorting station.
  Unsorted: 819.008 kg
  Sorted: 217.180 kg
• A food waste policy encouraging employees to limit their uneaten or unused foods.

Because of the environmental impact of waste of electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) Samskip pays attention to its proper treatment. Thus, in 2022, Samskip sent 198 electronic devices, including 95 laptops and 37 desktops, to be dismantled and the parts recycled and treated.

Water resources

Water use

Samskip closely monitors water consumption, identifies potential reduction areas, and adjusts usage accordingly. Samskip’s water management system includes:

Ballast water

Because the water used in ballast tanks to stabilise the vessels is collected and discharged in different places, ballast water management is essential in limiting marine transportation’s ecological impact. To avoid disrupting ecosystems, Samskip has installed filters on 100% of its owned vessels, which ensures organisms are not transferred from one environment to another. 

As we have already discussed in the section Sustainability at Samskip, green logistics is at the heart of what we do, along with the decisions we make and our investments. It is the direct result of incorporating sustainability into the core of our business model as multimodal logistics specialists.

Determined to stay the course and stay ahead as an innovator in green logistics, we continue to put significant resources into numerous projects to improve our services' sustainably. We are also constantly looking for partnerships that will allow us to benefit from the best practices developed by experts in the different fields of logistics—all for one, one for all.

Let’s go into more detail about the technologies, practices, and processes that make up green logistics and the integration advances of Samskip.

Green Power

The energy we use

Number of vessels run on 100% biofuel

4

Number of vessels run on LNG

2

Hydrogen-fuelled SeaShuttle container ship

In line with Samskip’s ambitions of Making green logistics easy, significant funds and hard work are dedicated to taking the lead role in the SeaShuttle project. Through this initiative, the delivery of two hydrogen-powered, remotely controlled, and autonomous-ready containerships are expected to run by 2025. These emission-free vessels will then join the effort to create a ‘green corridor’ between Norway and The Netherlands. Samskip is looking forward to taking the helm and steering the sector towards green logistics.

Biofuel usage in marine vessels and HVO trucks: The power of cooking oil and residual waste

Marine transportation of goods accounts for 2-3% of global CO2 emissions, 4-9% of SOx emissions, and 10-15% of NOx emissions. Heavy Fuel Oil (HFO), Marine Diesel Oil (MDO), and Marine Gas Oil (MGO) are the most commonly used fuels for merchant vessels and release high quantities of sulphur and GES when used. Biofuels are low sulphur and low CO2e emitting propellants. However, the main challenge remains the supply of biofuel. Samskip has ensured biofuel supply to have 4 vessels run exclusively on this alternative. These biofuels made up 25% of Samskip’s total marine fuel usage in 2022.

The biofuels we use are 100% ISCC-certified, made from sustainable waste streams, and have proven to be a successful substitute for conventional marine fuels as part of our operations between the Netherlands, the UK, and Ireland. In addition, our biofuels supplier, GoodFuels, is supporting our efforts to rapidly extend the use of these biofuels. GoodFuels' second-generation sustainable biofuels consist of certified feedstock labelled waste or residue. Using these alternative fuels means no land-use issues, no competition with food production, or deforestation.

Trains

Rail freight by Samskip is 100% electrified. The network we use to substitute trucks to move cargo is fully electric. Logistically, switching from road to rail and vice-versa easily allows Samskip to optimise its route by using each mode’s main advantages: speed, price, and energy efficiency for rail and better access to delivery locations by road. In addition, Samskip has been using this flexibility to enhance its environmental performance by substituting trucks for trains as much as possible, considering the availability of a rail network.