DP World has launched a new carbon inset scheme at its Southampton terminal, allowing shipping customers to claim a share of emissions reductions generated at the port towards their own supply chain targets.
The new Container Terminal Inset Certificates are created through emissions reductions at Southampton, where the use of biofuels, such as HVO, port-wide electrification and the generation of renewable electricity has resulted in significant carbon savings. These savings are then converted into uniquely allocated certificates that customers can use to report lower Scope 3 emissions across their supply chains.
The certificates will be included in DP World’s carbon inset programme as a share of the 250kg CO₂e allocation and automatically applied to qualifying cargo moving through DP World Southampton from 1 April 2026. Customers will receive independently verified documentation to support their sustainability reporting.
DP World’s carbon inset programme, introduced in January 2025 in partnership with 123Carbon, has so far registered more than 250,000 TEU of cargo in its first year, issuing over 9,000t of CO₂e savings. Originally scheduled to be a 12-month trial, the programme was subsequently extended to 31 December 2026.
John Trenchard, VP Sustainable International Supply Chains, Europe said: “At DP World, we believe decarbonising global supply chains requires practical solutions that deliver measurable impact today. This scheme will turn real emissions reductions at Southampton into verified savings our customers can count towards their Scope 3 targets. By working with partners like Bureau Veritas and 123Carbon, we’re scaling a model that recognises the critical role ports play in driving lower-carbon logistics across road, rail and sea.”
Jeroen van Heiningen, CEO 123 Carbon, added: “This project is a landmark milestone, as it represents a new standard on how carbon reductions realised in port operations can be shared with owners. The development of such a standard together with industry leaders as DP World is necessary to ensure companies can safely and securely reduce transport-related emissions from origin to destination, regardless of transport type and including container handling at ports.”
The carbon inset programme in the UK is funded by the Energy Transition Contribution applied to all import laden containers through DP World UK ports. Registered programme users who move containers into the UK through DP World ports can access carbon credits to address residual emissions for container ships, tug boats and container terminal operations. Headquartered in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, DP World operates across more than 75 countries, claiming over 9% of global containerised trade.
Image: Southampton container terminal (source: DP World)
