DP World will increase the value of its Carbon Inset Credits fivefold from 1 October, offering cargo owners a stronger incentive to cut supply chain emissions. The expansion follows strong demand for the scheme, which has already attracted registrations covering more than 200,000 TEU since its launch in January.
Every loaded container imported through DP World’s UK ports will now qualify for 250kg of CO2e Carbon Inset Credits, up from the 50kg currently available. The credits will be applied automatically to all participating shipments, providing immediate recognition for reductions in Scope 3 emissions across customer supply chains.
Covering the last nautical mile
The enhanced credits are designed to address emissions from the entire port call of container ships as they manoeuvre into London Gateway or Southampton. That includes the “last nautical mile”, as well as the emissions generated by tugs and pilot boats.
The new allocation has been made possible by a combination of lower carbon fuels deployed across the DP World network. Its subsidiary Unifeeder is adopting these fuels on shortsea services in Northern Europe, while tug operator Svitzer has committed to transitioning its UK fleet under what is described as a world-first partnership.
Customer demand drives the initiative
John Trenchard, Vice President for Sustainable International Supply Chains at DP World, said the rapid take-up of the Carbon Inset Programme showed clear demand. “The strong interest in our Carbon Inset Programme since its launch in January shows that our customers are looking for practical, tangible ways to decarbonise their supply chains,” he said.
“Expanding the programme allows more cargo owners to immediately benefit from emissions reductions within their logistics operations,” explained John Trenchard. “At DP World, we’re making more sustainable trade flow through pioneering initiatives, such as using lower carbon fuels, smarter logistics, and seamless port operations, which together deliver sustainability and competitiveness side by side.”
Partnership with Svitzer
The expansion of the programme rests heavily on collaboration with tug operator Svitzer. Its UK fleet will switch to incrementally lower carbon fuels, cutting emissions associated with vessel assistance and berthing operations at DP World’s UK terminals.
Ekaterina Riegels Hjorth, Head of Decarbonisation at Svitzer, said: “We’re proud to team up with DP World to expand the Carbon Inset Programme to the ‘last nautical mile’. This initiative demonstrates what’s possible when partners across the port ecosystem unite around a shared ambition to deliver real, scalable emissions reductions.”
Recognition for sustainability leadership
Importers who are already registered will automatically qualify for the higher credits. New participants can enrol through DP World’s dedicated Carbon Inset Programme Trial, which remains open to all cargo owners using the operator’s UK gateways.
The initiative builds on DP World’s broader sustainability commitments, which include its Modal Shift Programme and adoption of lower carbon technologies at London Gateway and Southampton. The company’s efforts were recognised at the 2025 Multimodal Awards, where it was named Sustainability Company of the Year (see coverage from MultiModal in the print edition of WorldCargo News). DP World is also progressing plans to make Southampton the UK’s first operationally net-zero container terminal.