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A Six-Month Trial with Big Impact
In Rotterdam, QTerminals Kramer Rotterdam (QTKR) and Ocean Network Express (Europe) (ONE) have taken a practical step towards decarbonising port logistics. By switching their shunting trucks to HVO100, a renewable biofuel, the partners managed to reduce emissions by around 500 tonnes of CO2 in just six months.
HVO100 isn’t new—it’s already widely used in heavy-duty road transport. But in port operations, where diesel has long been the default, this marks a shift. The fuel can cut lifecycle CO2 emissions by up to 90% compared with standard diesel. It also lowers particulate matter and nitrogen oxide, pollutants often linked to health issues in port communities.
From Quick Wins to Long-Term Change
The trial highlights an important point: not every solution to decarbonisation has to wait for tomorrow’s technology. Immediate alternatives exist today. By adopting biofuels now, QTKR and ONE are showing how “quick wins” can buy time while the industry works toward electrification and other zero-carbon pathways.
As Johan Pijpers, ONE’s Manager for Inland Operations Procurement (Europe & Africa), put it:
“Decarbonisation cannot be achieved in isolation; it demands collaboration and innovation across the supply chain. Our work with QTKR shows that practical solutions like biofuels can deliver meaningful results today, while laying the foundation for more ambitious steps in the future.”
Collaboration at the Core
For QTKR, the partnership isn’t just about switching fuel tanks—it’s about creating a framework for wider change. Fred Groenendijk, CCO at QTKR, said:
“At QTerminals Kramer Rotterdam, we are proud to collaborate with Ocean Network Express (ONE) in a partnership that goes beyond logistics. Together, we are taking concrete steps towards reducing CO2 emissions by aligning our strategies, sharing expertise, and driving a sustainable way of working across the transport chain.”
The emphasis on collaboration reflects a broader truth in shipping: ports, carriers, and logistics providers cannot work in silos if net-zero goals are to be achieved.
What Comes Next
The next stage of the initiative will bring electric trucks into the mix. These e-trucks, dedicated to container shunting across Rotterdam terminals, will operate alongside the HVO100 fleet. The combination signals a “layered” approach—deploying immediate, scalable measures while building up long-term platforms for zero-carbon logistics.
For anyone working in maritime logistics, this raises a practical question: how many emission cuts are we leaving on the table while waiting for perfect solutions? Biofuels, hybrid approaches, and pilot projects may not deliver 100% decarbonisation today, but as Rotterdam shows, they can deliver hundreds of tonnes of CO2 savings in months, not years.
