[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”0px||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_3,1_3″ module_class=”reverse-columns-mobile” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”0px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.23.1″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.23.1″ text_font=”roboto-regular||||||||” text_text_color=”#003a7c” custom_margin=”||0px||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”||15px||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|tablet” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]Credits: EKB[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.20.2″ custom_padding=”0px||||false|false” bottom_divider_style=”waves2″ bottom_divider_color=”#DFE6EE” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_3,1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”0px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.23.1″ hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″]\u201cWe\u2019ve been addressing these issues seriously since 2017,\u201d reports Ole Heemeyer, Commercial Director at EKB Container Logistik. Back then, a meeting on the future direction of the company, which specialises in international container transport and all the associated logistics services, motivated those responsible to draw up an initial carbon footprint. Simultaneously, aware that they were also responsible for emissions as part of the logistics chain, they approached various truck manufacturers to find out what alternatives to diesel fuel existed. \u201cWe came across fossil LNG through our discussions with Volvo and petrol station operator Alternoil,\u201d Heemeyer explains. \u201cWe\u2019ve since largely replaced diesel with bio-LNG.\u201d EKB subsequently purchased two LNG trucks, subsidised by the Federal Office for Goods Transport (BAG), now known as the Federal Logistics and Mobility Office (BALM), in 2019. \u201cIn container transport, where the cargo is heavier, we were the first to take this step,\u201d he emphasises. <\/p>\n
EKB was already a pioneer in 1966, the year it was founded. When the \u201cMS Fairyland\u201d brought the first containers to Germany and moored in Bremen, the company, as a member of the Kieserling Group back then, handled the boxes at the quay and transported them by truck to their final destination. Today, EKB has around 300 of its own trucks, a good third of which are fuelled with bio-LNG, as are approximately 500 vehicles belonging to subcontractors. Together, 1,000 chassis transport around 450,000 containers per year, covering a distance of 90,000 kilometres on the Hamburg-Antwerp range and the associated hinterland. \u201cA few weeks ago, we signed a purchase agreement for bio-LNG that will last several years,\u201d Heemeyer adds, referring to the company\u2019s own fleet of trucks and acknowledging the alternative fuel\u2019s growing significance. \u201cWe want to source this fuel exclusively in future, which is a privilege, as it\u2019s only sufficient to supply 15 per cent of freight traffic.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
For Heemeyer, the advantages of bio-LNG are quite clear. After all, over 90 per cent of truck emissions can be saved by using liquefied biogas, yet he only considers it a temporary solution. \u201cBio-LNG isn\u2019t a solution for the next 50 years but it is one that is practicable right now, especially on long journeys,\u201d he continues, adding that this is why he and his colleagues are keeping a very close eye on the development of sustainable options in the energy market. \u201cI don’t believe there\u2019ll be a one-size-fits-all energy source,\u201d he says. \u201cRather, I think we should get ready for a wide-ranging energy mix in which hydrogen, battery-electric drives, bio-LNG and HVO100 diesel can play an important role.\u201d Planning many years ahead is, therefore, not possible currently. \u201cBut I can work with every new technology at the very least,\u201d he adds with a wink.<\/p>\n
With the aim of broadly positioning itself as a climate-focused company, EKB also integrated the first electric truck into its fleet in late July. It has only been used for short journeys and in factory operations so far, but experiences with it have been good. \u201cDepending on how heavily it\u2019s charged, one e-truck battery is sufficient for an average journey of between 300 and 350 kilometres,\u201d Heemeyer explains. \u201cThis means that, for example, the route from Flensburg to Rosenheim would require two four-hour charges, which simply doesn\u2019t make economic sense.\u201d Besides the distance problem, there is also the lack of fast-charging points. He also believes that the battery swap solutions on the market, until now offered by Chinese suppliers, are not a solution that could be effective in the near future. \u201cOn the one hand, we need to find a standardised solution,\u201d he indicates. \u201cI can\u2019t see one at the moment, given the large number of different e-mobility providers. On the other hand, battery removal and installation is much more difficult for trucks than it is for cars.\u201d
\n[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.logistics-pilot.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/230909_EundLNG_0050-c-EKB_4C_800.jpg” title_text=”230909_EundLNG_0050—c—EKB_4C_800″ _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.23.1″ text_font=”roboto-regular||||||||” text_text_color=”#003a7c” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″]It is not just their logo and the paintwork on their trucks that make EKB green. Climate and environmental protection influence their daily business on many levels.[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.23.1″ hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n
However, EKB will continue to stay in the loop where the climate and environmental protection are concerned and their strategy has proven effective so far. \u201cWe always invest in infrastructure first, and only then do we buy the necessary vehicles,\u201d Heemeyer explains \u2013 but not without first criticising how the German government has implemented its additional charge subsidy. \u201c80 per cent of the additional costs to a diesel are covered by the Federal Logistics and Mobility Office. As this is coming from 2024\u2019s budget funds, though, we won\u2019t receive the money until next year, despite the decision. With several trucks, this can add up to quite a considerable sum.\u201d Where money is concerned, he adds that the industry is and will remain price-driven. \u201cWhile shipping agents, freight forwarders and shipping companies largely favour cheap transport solutions over environmentally friendly ones, establishing sustainable solutions on the market in an economically viable way will remain a real challenge for us.” (bre)<\/em><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ module_class=”dtb-sticky” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_sidebar area=”et_pb_widget_area_7″ show_border=”off” admin_label=”Werbung Startseite \/ Artikel” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_sidebar][et_pb_sidebar area=”et_pb_widget_area_9″ show_border=”off” admin_label=”Werbung Artikel” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_sidebar][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.logistics-pilot.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Ole-Heemeyer_APR_500px.png” title_text=”Ole-Heemeyer_APR_500px” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.23.1″ custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”25px||||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.23.1″ header_3_text_color=”#002e5b” text_orientation=”center” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”||40px||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” custom_margin=”||100px||false|false” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n Ole Heemeyer, Commercial Director\u201cBio-LNG isn\u2019t a solution for the next 50 years.\u201d<\/h3>\n
\nat EKB Container Logistik[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_blurb title=”Facts” admin_label=”Fakten” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ header_font=”|||on|||||” header_text_color=”#ffffff” header_font_size=”16px” text_orientation=”center” custom_margin=”50px||20px||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”25px||||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_css_blurb_title=”display: inline-block!important;||background: #002754!important;||padding: 5px 13px 3px 13px!important;||position: relative!important;” border_width_bottom=”1px” border_color_bottom=”#002754″ global_colors_info=”{}” header_text_color__hover_enabled=”on|desktop” header_text_color__hover=”rgba(255,255,255,0.71)” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\nEKB Container Logistik<\/h4>\n