Fashion retailer Inditex announced a new partnership with integrated container logistics company A.P. Moller – Maersk aimed at reducing to reduce Inditex’s global greenhouse gas (GHG) footprint from ocean shipping through the use of low carbon fuels.

Under the new agreement, Inditex will incorporate alternative fuels, such as green methanol or biodiesel derived from waste feedstocks, for all of its inbound routes with Maersk. The agreement was made through Maersk’s ECO Delivery program, an offering that allows shippers to replace fossil fuels with green fuels, enabling direct emissions savings, and providing audited CO2 savings and 3rd party verification.

The use of green fuels is expected to deliver an estimated reduction of more than 80% in GHG emissions per liter compared to conventional sources.

Inditex, parent company to brands including Zara and Massimo Dutti, has committed to reduce emissions, including Scope 3 value chain emissions, by 50% by 2030, and to become a net zero company across all business areas by 2040. In 2021, the company pledged to transition its ocean freight to zero-carbon shipping by 2040. The company is also a member of The Cargo Owners for Zero-Emission Vessels (coZEV), a platform for climate-forward cargo owners to develop concrete collaborative projects to advance zero-carbon solutions.

Abel Lopez, Head of Import, Export and Transport at Inditex said:

“This collaboration is a great example of how boosting innovative solutions with dedicated partners is key to fight climate change. Through this joint initiative with Maersk, we are making significant strides in reducing emissions associated with our sea freight. This project aligns with our goal to reach net zero emissions in 2040 and contributes to scale alternative fuels with a significant reduced carbon footprint.”

Maersk has announced a series of moves to expand its low carbon fleet, with 25 methanol-enabled vessels on order, beginning with its order in 2021 for the world’s first carbon-neutral methanol fueled container ship. Earlier this year, the company announced plans for the industry’s first-ever retrofit to convert an existing fossil fuel-powered container vessel to dual-fuel methanol-powered vessel, with plans to retrofit future vessels. The company has announced a series of carbon reduction targets, including goals to achieve net zero gas emissions in 2040 across its entire businesses and all scopes, as well as a 50% reduction in emissions per transported container in its ocean fleet, and a 70% reduction in absolute emissions from fully controlled terminals by 2030.

Emilio de la Cruz, Managing Director of Maersk’s Area South West Europe said that Inditex is among their first customers to assign 100% of their cargo to ECO Delivery. He said:

 “A lot of customers are asking us for a solution to reduce their scope 3 emissions, and the first customers are buying this premium solution for their whole cargo under Maersk Bill of Lading now. We are happy to serve this demand with ECO Delivery on an instant basis.”