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Chilling for Change – Advancing Sustainability for a Greener Climate-Managed Cold Chain

Refrigerated containers can handle all types of refrigerated or climate sensitive cargo, from fresh fruits, frozen meat, to chilled produce and medical supplies. With the shipping industry constantly facing new challenges, one of the most pressing issues is finding ways to reduce vessel fuel usage and emissions, while also minimizing the impact on the marine ecosystem.

Given the significant usage of refrigerated containers and the sensitive nature of their contents, it is crucial to keep them sustainable and energy efficient. At ZIM, we place high priority on monitoring our environmental impact and establishing a supply chain that meets both customer demands and our commitment to environmental responsibility.

To achieve this, we take substantial actions to safeguard and reduce our environmental footprint in all our business operations:

  • Renovating our refrigerated fleet: By gradually introducing new refrigerated units, our fleet now has an average age of under four years, making it the youngest reefer fleet in the industry. This results in lower energy consumption, and reduced maintenance and repair. Furthermore, our newly renovated refrigerated units come with cutting-edge technology that enhances energy efficiency for time-sensitive cargo.
  • Ensuring a sustainable supply chain: We monitor our energy consumption and carbon emissions across our global operations according to all three scopes. Compliance with all applicable environmental laws and regulations in the sector is imperative when transporting refrigerated containers, and we demand the same from those we collaborate with. This includes adhering to strict standards and ensuring all environmentally responsible practices are followed to provide customers with a secure supply chain from port to destination.
  • Securing sensitive cargo: When shipping refrigerated containers that carry sensitive cargo, it is crucial to prioritize their security and integrity throughout the operations, which is why we operate with highly efficient, innovative, and professional terminals worldwide. We aim to minimize our environmental impact while optimizing the movement of containers, whether on land or at sea.
  • Transition to LNG-powered vessels: The deployment of new LNG-powered vessels is a recent development in our efforts to transition to alternative fuels and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. These vessels can achieve a 25% reduction in carbon emissions and about 95% reduction of NOX emissions compared to the conventional oil-based fuels and our goal is that by the end of 2024, 40% of our capacity will be fueled by LNG.
  • Collaborating for environmental protection: We are proud to collaborate with environmental organizations that advocate for the protection of the seas and coastal environment such as EcoOcean and Coast Patrol and to take part in many environmental initiatives and discussions in order to promote a healthy environment through collaboration and partnerships.

 

Shay Levy

Sustainability Department Manager
levy.shay@zim.com