DP World has announced an extension of its Carbon Inset Programme after successfully registering more than 150,000 import containers since its inception in January.
The programme, which commenced on 1 January 2025, is claimed to be the first initiative of its kind globally, providing cargo owners with 50kg CO2e of carbon credits for each loaded import container processed through DP World’s UK terminals.
This initiative aims to assist companies in addressing Scope 3 emissions within their supply chains.
In February this year, DP World reported that the Carbon Inset Programme surpassed 100,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) of imported containers within the first two months of its launch.
Initially planned for a six-month duration, the programme will now continue until the end of the year in response to significant interest, allowing cargo owners additional time to register and obtain carbon credits.
Unlike traditional carbon offsets that support external projects, carbon insets focus on reducing emissions directly within a company’s supply chain, such as by implementing cleaner fuels or enhancing transport efficiency.
The first carbon inset certificates were issued to cargo owners in April, covering import containers managed at DP World London Gateway and Southampton during the initial quarter of 2025.
The carbon credits are generated through DP World’s subsidiary, Unifeeder, which is utilising lower-carbon fuels across its Northern European shipping network.
These credits undergo independent verification and are aggregated quarterly, enabling participating companies to effectively manage their Scope 3 supply chain carbon emissions and work towards their sustainability goals.
This programme is part of DP World’s strategy to decarbonise its operations, which includes investments in all-electric equipment and initiatives aimed at shifting transport modalities in the UK.
On a global scale, DP World has pledged to reduce absolute emissions by 42% by 2030.
DP World commercial and supply chain vice president John Trenchard said: “DP World is committed to providing our customers pragmatic solutions to help them meet their sustainability goals and our innovative Carbon Inset Programme is doing just that.
“With 150,000 TEUs worth of registrations since January, the trial has been an undeniable success so far and its extension to the end of the year is a testament to the confidence we have that more cargo owners stand to benefit from the programme’s incentives.”
In addition to its operations at Southampton and London Gateway, DP World offers comprehensive end-to-end solutions that encompass logistics, forwarding, and European transport capabilities, all integrated within its extensive global network.
Recently, DP World entered into a non-binding memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Dominican Republic government to invest $760m in improving the Port of Caucedo and its Free Trade Zone.
