Kuehne+Nagel and Acer Europe Strengthen Partnership to Decarbonize Sea Shipments with Biofuel
Kuehne+Nagel, a global leader in logistics, has renewed its strategic collaboration with Acer Europe to advance sustainability in sea shipments by utilizing biofuel. Now in its third year, this partnership has successfully reduced carbon emissions by 475 tons, reflecting the shared commitment of both companies to environmental sustainability and a greener future.
Advancing Sustainability Through Innovation
As global concerns about climate change and carbon footprints continue to intensify, companies are actively seeking sustainable solutions to minimize their environmental impact. Recognizing the importance of decarbonization in the logistics sector, Kuehne+Nagel and Acer have committed to implementing innovative practices to reduce their carbon emissions. By leveraging biofuel-powered maritime transport, the collaboration sets a new benchmark in eco-friendly logistics.
Kuehne+Nagel’s certified Book and Claim solution for maritime biofuel ensures transparency and accountability in carbon emission reductions. This approach allows companies to contribute to emission reductions even if they do not physically use biofuel in their shipments. Instead, they finance the use of sustainable fuels in maritime logistics, offsetting their carbon impact and driving the demand for cleaner fuel alternatives in the industry.
Beyond biofuel adoption, Kuehne+Nagel enhances Acer’s sustainability efforts through advanced data-driven insights provided by Seaexplorer—a digital platform that optimizes shipping routes for efficiency and environmental impact reduction. Additionally, order-level emissions reporting offers Acer granular visibility into its carbon footprint, allowing the company to make informed decisions about its supply chain operations.
Aligning with Acer’s Sustainability Goals
Acer has set ambitious Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi) commitments, including the goal of reducing absolute Scope 3 emissions by 35% by 2030, compared to the baseline set in 2020. Given that Scope 3 emissions include indirect emissions occurring in a company’s value chain—such as transportation and logistics—collaborating with sustainable partners like Kuehne+Nagel is instrumental in achieving this target.
Riccardo Bernasconi, Acer EMEA Supply Chain Director, emphasized the significance of this partnership, stating:
“We are proud to work with Kuehne+Nagel, a reliable and trustworthy partner, in our goal to reduce carbon emissions from our logistics operations. A few years ago, we started several joint carbon-reduction initiatives, and the results are improving year over year.”
Kuehne+Nagel shares Acer’s long-term vision for sustainability. Ave Crotti, Sustainability Manager Italy and Iberia at Kuehne+Nagel, highlighted the company’s dedication to innovation in reducing environmental impact:
“Acer’s inclusive approach to sustainability looks far ahead and focuses on shared responsibility. We are proud to contribute to their efforts and are looking forward to introducing new carbon-reducing initiatives this year focused on distribution processes.”
How Biofuel is Revolutionizing Maritime Logistics
Biofuel is emerging as one of the most promising alternatives to conventional fossil fuels in the maritime industry. Derived from renewable sources such as waste oils, agricultural residues, and algae, biofuels can significantly cut carbon emissions compared to traditional shipping fuels.
Key Benefits of Biofuel in Maritime Logistics
- Lower Carbon Emissions – Biofuels can reduce CO2 emissions by up to 90% compared to conventional fuels, making them a powerful tool in the fight against climate change.
- Immediate Sustainability Impact – Unlike long-term solutions such as hydrogen or ammonia-based fuels, biofuels can be used in existing ship engines without modifications, accelerating the transition to greener transport.
- Support for Regulatory Compliance – The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has set ambitious decarbonization targets, aiming for net-zero greenhouse gas emissions from international shipping by 2050. Biofuels contribute directly to achieving these goals.
- Reduction of Sulfur Emissions – Biofuels contain lower levels of sulfur compared to traditional marine fuels, helping shipping companies comply with IMO’s sulfur regulations and improving air quality.
- Circular Economy Benefits – Many biofuels are produced from waste materials, supporting the circular economy and reducing dependency on non-renewable resources.
How Kuehne+Nagel’s Book and Claim Model Works
The Book and Claim model is a market-based mechanism designed to encourage the adoption of sustainable fuels. Under this system, companies purchase carbon reduction credits associated with biofuel usage, even if their specific shipment does not physically use biofuel. The purchased credits directly support the production and use of biofuels in other shipping operations, leading to a net reduction in global maritime emissions.
For Acer, this means that even if all of its shipments do not yet operate on biofuel-powered vessels, the company is still making a tangible impact on decarbonizing the shipping industry. This scalable model ensures that sustainability efforts remain inclusive and accessible for businesses at different stages of their carbon reduction journey.
The Role of Data-Driven Decision Making
Seaexplorer, Kuehne+Nagel’s digital shipping platform, plays a crucial role in optimizing Acer’s supply chain by providing:
- Real-time visibility into shipping routes, helping Acer choose the most efficient and least carbon-intensive paths.
- Carbon footprint tracking, ensuring Acer has accurate insights into the environmental impact of its logistics operations.
- Alternative transport recommendations, enabling Acer to shift shipments to lower-emission transport modes where possible.
Additionally, Kuehne+Nagel’s order-level emissions reporting provides Acer with detailed insights into the carbon impact of individual shipments, allowing for data-driven sustainability strategies.
Expanding the Partnership: Future Sustainability Initiatives
Looking ahead, Kuehne+Nagel and Acer plan to introduce new carbon-reducing initiatives focused on distribution processes. These initiatives may include:
- Electrification of last-mile deliveries, reducing emissions in the final stage of Acer’s supply chain.
- Optimization of warehouse energy use, implementing energy-efficient practices and renewable energy sources in logistics facilities.
- Increased reliance on multimodal transport, integrating rail and road solutions to further lower emissions from long-haul shipments.
- AI-driven logistics planning, leveraging machine learning to identify the most efficient and eco-friendly shipping options.
By continuously innovating and expanding their partnership, Kuehne+Nagel and Acer are setting an industry example for achieving sustainable logistics at scale.
About Kuehne+Nagel
With a global workforce of over 80,000 employees across nearly 1,300 locations in 100 countries, Kuehne+Nagel is a world-leading logistics provider. Headquartered in Switzerland, the company holds strong market positions in sea, air, road, and contract logistics.
Kuehne+Nagel serves as the logistics partner for over 400,000 customers worldwide, offering comprehensive supply chain solutions powered by cutting-edge data analytics and sustainability-driven strategies. As a member of the Science-Based Target Initiative (SBTi), Kuehne+Nagel actively works toward reducing its environmental footprint and assisting its clients in implementing low-carbon logistics solutions.
About Acer
Founded in 1976, Acer is a global leader in technology innovation, with operations spanning over 160 countries. The company’s extensive portfolio includes computers, displays, and emerging technology solutions, all developed with a focus on sustainability.
Acer has more than 8,000 employees worldwide, dedicated to advancing research, design, marketing, sales, and customer support. Acer’s commitment to environmental and social responsibility is reflected in its ongoing efforts to align with global sustainability goals, particularly in reducing carbon emissions and promoting ethical supply chain practices.
For more information about Acer’s sustainability initiatives, visit www.acer.com.
Conclusion: A Model for Green Logistics
Kuehne+Nagel and Acer’s continued partnership represents a transformative step toward a low-carbon future in global supply chains. By embracing biofuel adoption, advanced data insights, and order-level emissions tracking, the two companies are driving measurable progress in maritime sustainability.
As regulatory frameworks tighten and consumer expectations for green logistics rise, collaborations like this set the stage for a new era of sustainable supply chains—where business growth and environmental responsibility go hand in hand. The success of this initiative serves as a model for other companies looking to decarbonize their logistics operations and contribute to a more sustainable world.