ONE moves full speed ahead on pathway to net-zero

Singapore-based shipping company Ocean Network Express (ONE) has made significant progress in implementing its green strategy as it achieved a 62% reduction in Scope 1 emissions intensity in FY2023, compared to a 2008 baseline.

In its 2024 Sustainability Report released on October 15, 2024, the company said it is on track to achieve a 70% reduction in Scope 1 emissions per TEU-km from a 2008 baseline by 2030—in line with ONE’s target.

“Our efforts have yielded a 21% reduction in emissions intensity from 2018 to 2023. We expect further reductions in the future as we continue to develop and implement green solutions for our operations,” ONE said in the report.

As a signatory of the Call to Action for Shipping Decarbonisation, ONE supports efforts to fully decarbonize maritime shipping by 2050. To this end, the company developed and launched its Green Strategy as well as the Decarbonization Roadmap, prioritizing five key areas: carbon management, operational efficiency, green investment, alternative fuels and ecosystem building.

“To achieve our decarbonisation goals, we recognise the need to take immediate action even as we work on long-term solutions. These initiatives focus on improving operational and fleet fuel efficiencies through vessel modifications such as the bulbous bow and bow windshield, as well as the optimisation of auxiliary machinery operations directly leading to emissions reductions,” Jeremy Nixon, CEO of ONE, explained.

At the beginning of this year, ONE confirmed the order for twelve 13,000 TEU methanol dual-fuel containerships in China. Slated for delivery from 2027, the units represent ONE’s inaugural fleet of methanol-dual fuel vessels.

To further enhance fuel efficiency and emission reductions, these vessels will also be fitted with optimised hull forms, waste heat recovery systems, and bow windshields. Select vessels will additionally be equipped with air lubrication systems and shaft generators.

What is more, the company received an approval in principle (AiP) from classification society DNV for a 3,500 TEU ammonia dual-fuel vessel in January 2024.

The shipping player, which was incepted in 2017 following the liner service integrations of Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha (K Line), Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) and Nippon Yusen Kaisha (NYK), has been studying the feasibility of ammonia as an alternative fuel for zero emission according to the roadmap for alternative fuels which was developed by the company in 2022. In conjunction with the roadmap, ONE participated in a Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation-led (GCMD) ammonia bunkering pilot safety study.

“Through this, as well as our participation in the GCMD-led ammonia bunkering pilot safety study, we seek to accelerate the search for a viable alternative maritime fuel. We also continue to participate in industry-wide collaborations towards decarbonisation as co-chair of the World Shipping Council and participating in initiatives such as the Port of Los Angeles-Port of Shanghai Green Shipping Corridor,” Nixon added.

“Ammonia is one of the primary focuses of our research generating significantly less GHG emissions compared to conventional marine fuels. We are pleased to have made considerable progress and will continue to explore the feasibility of ammonia as an alternative maritime fuel,” Koshiro Wake, Senior Vice President, Corporate Strategy and Sustainability, said in ONE’s sustainability report.

As part of continued efforts to develop the Shanghai-Los Angeles/Long Beach Green Shipping Corridor Initiative, following multiple discussions with stakeholders, the Green Shipping Corridor Implementation Plan Outline was released in September 2023 setting out goals to phase in reduced or zero lifecycle carbon emission capable ships from 2025, improve the technical and operational efficiency of vessels within the corridor, and demonstrate the feasibility of deploying the world’s first zero lifecycle carbon emission container ships by 2030.

During this process, participating shipping lines will track and report their carbon emissions, evaluate the progress of decarbonization, and promote the trans-Pacific green corridor as a model for sustainable development. Similarly, ONE has actively participated in the Singapore-Rotterdam Green and Digital Shipping Corridor since 2022.

In 2023, the company conducted a series of trials in East Asia aimed at increasing the use of onshore power supply (OPS) to reduce the environmental impact of berthed vessels in ports. The company expects to increase the use of OPS in the next financial year.

In January 2024, ONE embarked on a VentoFoil wind energy trial in collaboration with Dutch wind-assisted propulsion systems provider Econowind. It installed two containerized wind assist devices on the 1,036 TEU boxship Kalamazoo. The company plans to use the results in order to assess the long-term viability of wind-propulsion to reduce emissions.