Decarbonising terminals

Why net zero port terminals matter

Our network of owned and operated terminals provides vital links between our land and ocean operations. Port terminals are also a focal point for local businesses, bringing economic and development benefits to the communities we serve.

But port terminals are also a significant contributor of greenhouse gas emissions, mainly from the generation of purchased electricity. Our near-term focus is to double down on switching to renewable electricity from onsite and offsite solutions while also replacing fossil-fuel container handling equipment with electric equipment.

Our ambition

We will take leadership in the transformation of the transport and logistics industry to net zero operations.

Highlights in 2024

8%

reduction in Terminals absolute scope 1 and 2 emissions compared to our 2022 baseline

45%

of APM Terminals’ electricity powered through renewable sources

Priorities and actions

Decarbonisation is embedded in the core strategy for our terminal business, and we have an ambitious plan to decarbonise based on both ongoing and new activities. Solutions have been identified to reduce or eliminate a substantial share of our controlled emissions from terminals through the application of available and proven technologies.

Optimising energy consumption

We continue optimising our terminals’ energy use to reduce our fuel and electricity consumption. We are working to improve electricity sourcing and to convert, where possible, to renewable energy supplies.

Transitioning to green energy sources

Our Low Carbon Logistics programme is rolling out across our terminals to reduce emissions at source. It replaces fossil-based energy with renewable electricity and fuels made from recycled waste. We are also investing in solar energy at terminals where it is not possible for us to enter into power purchase agreements for renewable electricity.

Featured highlights and case stories

Electrifying terminal container handling equipment

In 2023, APM Terminals and DP World jointly announced the Zero Emission Port Alliance (ZEPA), an industry-wide strategic coalition aiming to accelerate the adoption of battery-electric container handling equipment in ports.

In December 2024, ZEPA published its first annual findings. It expects demand to rapidly accelerate in the coming years but notes the need for standardisation to ensure widespread adoption as well as the importance of grid and infrastructure updates to support increased terminal power demand.

While some electric equipment prices have fallen and reached cost-parity with fossil fuel alternatives, many electric container handling equipment categories still have a large price gap to diesel-powered alternatives. This is largely driven by a lack of scale or standardisation – for example the wide divergence in battery sizes, charging infrastructure and software for battery-electric equipment.

Electrifying container handling equipment

For APM Terminals, shifting from fossil-fuelled equipment in our ports to battery-electric container handling equipment is the main lever for reducing scope 1 GHG emissions. During 2024, we rolled out such equipment in Egypt, Jordan and Spain as part of our USD 60m electrification pilot programme across five terminals.

The Aqaba Container Terminal in Jordan is the first deployment of battery-electric container handling equipment in the Middle East. In addition to directly curbing GHG emissions, these pilots are important to helping APM Terminals understand how to safely operate battery-electric container handling equipment and to develop industry-wide best practices in order to scale these solutions across multiple terminals in the years ahead.

Learn more

Annual Report 2024

For the first time, we are reporting on our sustainability performance as an integrated part of Maersk's Annual Report. See the report for more information on progress towards environmental, social and governance commitments.

Annual Report 2024