WWL Cuts CO2 Emissions by 6.9%, NOx Emissions by 12%

August 19, 2009

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Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics (WWL), a global provider of factory-to-dealer vehicle transportation services, has reduced the environmental impact of its deep sea cargo movements by cutting CO2 emissions by 6.9 percent in 2008 and 18.2 percent since 2004 in advance of industry standards, according to the company’s Environmental and Social Responsibility Report 2008.

Here are several other highlights from the report.

WWL also saved 121,293 tons of SO2 emissions between 2001 and 2008 by using lower sulphur content fuel compared to the industry average. The shipping company also reduced its NOx emissions by 12 percent in 2008 and 20.8 percent since 1999.

Since 2004, the company has maintained a 1.5 percent sulphur content in fuel as a maximum standard globally, compared with the international requirement of 4.5 percent. In addition, 66 percent of WWL’s vessels met the company’s goal of 5 ppm oil in bilge water, compared with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) requirement of 15 ppm.

The company also fitted two vessels with a chemical-free ballast water treatment system to reduce the spread of marine invasive species, bringing the total number of vessels with treatment systems to three.

WWL’s long-term goal is a zero emissions vessel. The company developed the world’s first zero emissions concept ship, the E/S Orcelle. The Orcelle Fund, established using award money as a recipient of the Thor Heyerdahl International Maritime Environmental Award, provided a grant to develop low carbon emissions power systems for vessels in 2008.

The company is also working to reduce its energy consumption and water use at its facilities. As an example, WWL’s Laverton North Technical Services Facility near Melbourne uses rainwater harvesting to supply about 85 percent of its water needs. The facility also features lots of natural light through skylights installed on the roof of the new 8,500-square-meter workshop for vehicle and equipment processing to reduce energy use.

In 2008, WWL Vehicle Services Americas (VSA) reduced its carbon dioxide emissions by 174 metric ton by cutting fuel consumption by 18 percent, although the number of cars processed increased. The business unit also reduced volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions by transitioning from a solvent to a waterborne paint system and reduced the amount of waste sent to landfills by 27.5 percent.

The company is also evaluating the viability of renewable energy sources at several of its facilities. WWL’s vehicle-processing centers in the United States and Europe are looking at the possibility of installing solar photovoltaic panels to provide electricity for the facilities, while WWL Zeebrugge is looking at the wind power potential for electricity generation at the Port of Zeebrugge.

In addition, the WWL vehicle-processing center in Zulpich, Germany, is investigating the use of biogas made from agricultural waste for the facility’s gas heating requirements due to its proximity to a farming community.

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