Decarbonising logistics: Inside CEVA’s plans to slash emissions

CEVA Logistics is racing towards net-zero. How are they doing it? How are they helping their customers? And what about infrastructure?

Globally, operators are deeply concerned about decarbonisation, as highlighted by IRU's new survey of operators. This anxiety stems from various causes, including high costs, lack of infrastructure, and a complex regulatory environment.

Despite these concerns, the industry is showing signs of adaptability and marching forward.

We caught up with Pierre-Alain Saclier, Vice President of Global Consumer & Retail at IRU member CEVA Logistics, to discuss the company's decarbonisation solutions, customer initiatives, and operational infrastructure projects.

What are CEVA's decarbonisation plans?

Alongside our parent company, CMA CGM, we are committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 through a phased decarbonisation strategy.

In the near term, our efforts are focused on three key areas: our warehouses, fleets, and low-carbon logistics solutions developed in collaboration with partner operators.

More broadly across Europe, CEVA currently operates more than 550 trucks powered by HVO100 and B100 biofuels, saving nearly 14,000 tonnes of CO2e each (CO2e is a measure used to compare emissions from various greenhouse gases). We aim to expand our low-carbon fleet to 1,450 vehicles by the end of 2025.

Globally, we are on track to have more than 650 battery-electric trucks in operation by the end of the year. In addition, we run over 460 trucks powered by HVO100 and B100 biofuels.

As part of our ongoing transition, we are adding 23 new electric trucks to replace diesel vehicles used in collection and distribution operations in France, Belgium and the Netherlands.

These new vehicles will reduce CO₂ emissions by 984 tonnes per year, bringing our total annual CO₂e emissions reduction to more than 38,300 tonnes across CEVA's fleet of over 1,100 low-carbon vehicles.

How are you helping your customers decarbonise?

In 2024, we launched CEVA FORPLANET, our sub-brand for low-carbon, sustainable logistics solutions.

The new suite of CEVA FORPLANET logistics solutions enables customers to reduce the environmental impact of their supply chains by leveraging a range of low-carbon transport and circular economy solutions.

In addition, CEVA FORPLANET solutions provide accurate data and CO2e calculations to ensure proper reporting.

What is the ECTN Alliance?

In 2023, we launched the European Clean Transport Network Alliance (ECTN Alliance), together with ENGIE (a French energy multinational) and SANEF (a French motorway management company), to help decarbonise road freight in Europe.

The ECTN Alliance aims to address current barriers facing low-emission trucks by providing a network of relay terminals for trucks, strategically located along European motorways and equipped with high-power electric chargers and pumps for biogas and green hydrogen. At these relay stations, trailers are disconnected and reconnected to new tractor units.

The terminals are open to various stakeholders, including trucking companies, shipping customers, energy suppliers, motorway operators, manufacturers, and public authorities.

The ECTN Alliance also seeks to improve long-haul truck drivers' working conditions by allowing them to remain closer to home. Drivers can return home after swapping their trailers at a terminal.

The solution will ultimately make the industry more attractive and help alleviate the truck driver shortage crisis.

What has been the impact so far?

The first pilot was launched in December 2023, covering more than 900km between the French cities of Avignon and Lille.

It has reduced GHG emissions from trucks on the motorway section between Lille and Avignon by a factor of four. The primary loop between two relay stations enables a single low-carbon truck to replace two diesel trucks.

The standard transport time between Avignon and Lille has also been reduced by 25%.

Testing and data indicate that 190 ECTN relay stations across Europe could reduce the road freight sector's GHG emissions by 60%.

What is the long-term vision?

The terminal network will be open to all shippers and carriers, providing easy access to low-carbon biogas, hydrogen and electric charging solutions.

The network will also feature a dedicated IT solution to help transport companies plan their routes and charging schedules as efficiently as possible.

Discover decarbonisation best practices and expertise in IRU's new Green Compact Survey Report.