To help accelerate heavy goods vehicle (HGV) decarbonisation, DP World UK is now almost two months into its Low Carbon Truck Programme Trial (LCTP). The trial, which is still open to new entrants, until the end of October, offers fleet operators the chance to trial Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) at diesel prices while supporting the company’s net-zero ambitions across its UK ports.
The initiative, launched on 1 September, lets truck operators trial the use of HVO without paying a price premium. The fuel is regarded as a link between sustainability with operational efficiency, but normally carries a price premium over diesel. It is otherwise readily interchangeable as a vehicle fuel. The trial scheme incentivises operators who are frequent users of DP World’s Vehicle Booking System (VBS) at Southampton and London Gateway ports.
No cost premium for low-carbon trucking
Under the programme, HGV operators can claim up to 5,000 litres of HVO per vehicle for each truck completing more than 90 VBS bookings within a three-month qualifying period at either port. Allocation is capped at 10 vehicles or 50,000 litres per group of companies per port, with the first quarter of registration closing at the end of this week, on 31 October.
HVO, a renewable diesel alternative, can reduce CO₂ emissions by up to 90% compared with conventional diesel, offering a practical and immediate way for operators to cut carbon without requiring engine modifications or costly infrastructure upgrades. By the company’s estimates, the programme could enable over 500 trucks to switch to HVO, removing more than 30,000 tonnes of CO₂ in 2026 alone.
An interim step to Net Zero
“Cargo owners and freight forwarders can significantly reduce their supply chain scope 3 emissions,” said John Trenchard, Vice President for Sustainable International Supply Chains at DP World. “Our hope is to encourage early adoption as a transitional step towards the eventual goal of electrification. We’re confident that the trial will mirror the success of our industry leading Modal Shift and Carbon Inset Programmes.”
Industry bodies in the UK have welcomed the initiative. “Hauliers want to reduce their emissions,” said Richard Smith, Managing Director, Road Haulage Association. “Our recent Net Zero Survey highlighted how operators see low carbon fuels achieving this as an interim step to Net Zero. Appropriately sourced HVO offers a way for them to do this, and we welcome DP World’s ‘Low Carbon Truck Programme’ together with the accompanying carbon literacy training to support hauliers on this journey.”
Carbon literacy training and a free container
To complement the fuel incentive, participating companies are invited to a free eight-hour Carbon Literacy workshop, covering climate change, carbon emissions, reporting, and decarbonisation strategies tailored to road freight and logistics.
The programme also offers a novel operational incentive: registered customers can move one laden container free of charge on DP World’s interport rail service between Southampton and London Gateway, providing an opportunity to explore rail as part of their low-carbon logistics strategy.
HVO: a transitional fuel for sustainable transport
HVO is gaining traction as a near-term solution for decarbonising freight. Fully compatible with existing diesel engines and approved by a wide range of OEMs, it allows fleet operators to adopt cleaner fuels without technical disruption. While not a replacement for long-term electrification, HVO provides a critical transitional step towards sustainable transport.
DP World is not alone in experimenting with HVO. The alternative fuel is being demonstrated across different modes of freight transport. Several UK rail freight operators are conducting trials with the fuel. Among them are DB Cargo UK and Freightliner, who both operate at Southampton and London Gateway.
Companies wishing to participate must register by completing a simple form and signing the programme’s terms and conditions, which detail vehicle eligibility and reporting requirements. DP World coordinates with the chosen fuel supplier to deliver HVO once the qualifying thresholds are met, with updates provided after each three-month period. The LCTP trail is set to run initially for 28 months.