Fruit growers tune into DAL online carbon calculator

In response to customer requests for information on the carbon footprint of Deutsche Afrika Linien containers, the shipping line has come up with an easy-touse online carbon calculator. “Environmental care and sustainability are hot topics in the maritime business,” says Christoph von Reith, a member of the project team set up to develop the tool. “It is openly accessible to all DAL intranet users, and in October last year it was also rolled out on the website DAL.biz where access is password-controlled. The DAL Emission Calculator provides information on the CO2 emissions generated by port/ port transport covered by all DAL services. The calculation method was established according to an IMO Guideline and has been verified by Lloyd’s Register, according to Von Reith. “This year we intend to upgrade the emission calculator further to cover all environment-relevant atmospheric pollutants, like NO2 and SO2. The tool has attracted positive response from South African shippers and is particularly relevant for fruit growers in the Western Cape, DAL Agency SA MD, Ron Frick, told FTW. “When they sell to the big supermarkets like Tesco, Sainsbury and ASDA they can market the product’s low carbon footprint. There is growing awareness among consumers in the likes of the UK and Germany and supermarkets like to advertise that they are carbon conscious,” he said. CAPTION Dal Agency MD Ron Frick ... growing awareness among consumers in the likes of the UK and Germany.