Travel retailers Gebr. Heinemann and Unifree Duty Free, together with transport firm Mars Logistics joined forces and have announced a pilot project to reduce logistics CO2 emissions by using train and truck transport.
Gebr. Heinemann and Unifree Duty Free have been working hard on taking responsibility for meaningful initiatives for years to make a sustainable impact in the travel-retail industry. For this pilot project, the two companies partnered with Mars Logistics, which is also committed to minimizing the environmental impact of its operations.
The project focuses on reducing the environmental impact of logistic processes. Product supply process from Gebr. Heinemann to Unifree Duty Free will be provided by train (electric) and truck (diesel) within the scope of the project.
The route starts in Erlensee, Germany and ends at Istanbul Airport. The orders loaded from Erlensee arrive at the Luxembourg train station by diesel trucks, from where they reach Istanbul Halkalı train station by train, and the orders are transferred to Istanbul Airport by trucks. The route covers a total of 2.600 km by train and 333 km by truck will be carried out regularly once every week. In the next phase of the project it is planned to increase the load to 5 containers per week.
Trials have shown that using this way of transportation instead of highway supply cuts CO2 emissions by as much as 65% with 1.047 kgs of CO2 released. Thanks to this pilot project, 112 trees per tour are being saved.
Unifree Duty Free Chief Commercial Officer Ceren Tonguç said: ‘’As Unifree Duty Free, we give utmost importance to the sustainability efforts and we are working on various sustainability projects to make an impact in the travel retail industry. In this point we are so pleased to take part in this trial project and contribute to reducing the impact of our operations and a more sustainable world in line with our corporate commitment to conduct business in an environmentally conscious manner. When it comes to sustainability we want to continue to play a pioneering role in travel retail.’’
Gebr. Heinemann Chief Commercial Officer Inken Callsen said: ‘’This is a milestone in the realization of our sustainability targets: Only one year after our Sustainability Summit we are proud that Mars Logistics, Unifree and Gebr. Heinemann will reduce the carbon footprint by 65 % while bringing the goods from Germany to Istanbul. Thanks to everyone involved in this collaboration!’’
Mars Logistics Sustainability Leader and Executive Committee Vice Chairman Mete Şekli said: “As Mars Logistics, we integrate our sustainability efforts for a more livable world into all our processes and apply them in all areas of the company. We continue to develop our cooperation with Gebr.Heinemann, which started in 2017, in a more “Sustainable” framework.
Especially after the “Sustainability Summit” organized by Gebr.Heinemann in Hamburg in April 2023, we contribute to their achievement of “Net Zero” targets for 2030 by offering them our rail freight services. We will increase and maintain our business concept that is sensitive to the environment and to the future of the world based on our preferences and projects and also with the support of all our stakeholders.”
