HMM partners with IKEA to drive decarbonization of ocean transport

HMM announced June 10 that it has signed an agreement with IKEA Supply Chain Operations to use HMM’s Green Sailing Service, a low-carbon ocean-transport solution that will enable both companies to lower their environmental impact and contribute to the decarbonization of ocean transportation.

The heart of this initiative revolves around the substantial reduction of carbon-dioxide equivalent (CO2e) emissions, achieved by substituting conventional fossil fuels with environmentally responsible, waste-based biofuels for the ocean transportation of IKEA products.

Biofuels used for this service are certified by the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification System GmbH are manufactured from waste-based biomass.

HMM is deploying sustainable biofuel for its FIM service connecting the Far East, India and the Mediterranean regions.

Notably, the agreement will help reduce around 11,500 metric tons of CO2e emissions from March 1, 2024, through Feb. 28, 2025, with the deployment of such biofuels for the whole of IKEA ocean-cargo shipment with HMM.

The amount of CO2e emissions (11,500 tons) saved through this green partnership with IKEA is capable of transporting 14,534 20-foot equivalent units worth of zero-emission cargo from Asia (Busan) to Europe (Rotterdam).

The IKEA goal is to reduce the relative greenhouse-gas emissions from its product transportation by 70 percent by 2030 and be a zero-emissions cargo owner by 2040.

HMM, which launched the Green Sailing Service early this year, intends to enhance the scope of its service through broad cooperation.

“We will keep looking for ways to make sustainable development our top goal, which will help us make important progress towards carbon neutrality,” said an HMM official.

Editor’s Note: Biobased Diesel Daily® announced a similar agreement between Hapag-Lloyd and IKEA in May.