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Transport emissions have come under the spotlight as companies seek to reduce their total carbon footprint from mine pit to end- of-life recycling. Project cargo operations to support the set-up or expansion of a mine, processing facility or factory are included. Although the transport of storage tanks or production equipment is a once-off project, emissions are being measured over the full lifecycle of a product. The importance of greening logistics was emphasised in the ministerial declaration after the first meeting of the Brics transport ministerial meeting held in St Petersburg in June 2024. “We recognise that addressing the environmental aspects of transport requires implementing sustainable transport policies and practices, promoting the use of clean and energy-efficient modes of transport, investing in alternative fuels and technologies solutions, improving public transport systems, adopting land use planning strategies that reduce vehicle dependency, and minimising the environmental impact of transport infrastructure projects.” This commitment was confirmed at the second meeting of the transport ministers in Brazil in May 2015, where participants proposed the creation of a Brics Institute for Sustainable Transport, Mobility, and Logistics (BISTML). The industry has also responded to challenges to reduce emissions. Fiata’s 2025 World Congress to be held in Vietnam in October is themed “Green and Resilient Logistics”. Shipping lines, transporters and logistics specialists have drawn up lists of recommendations for the greening of project logistics. The first step is to prioritise emissions during the planning of the project. Next is to have auditable systems for the measurement and documentation of CO2 emissions for the entire operation. Artificial intelligence- powered route and load optimisation is fast gaining ground. Blockchain provides transparency and verification of sustainable practices, while digital twins allow virtual testing of the available routes and transport modes. AI systems can be used to monitor weather and analyse traffic and road conditions in real time, where the data is available, in order to reduce fuel consumption and transit times. Digital platforms coordinate multimodal transportation. Specialised rail wagons are available to transport project cargo in Europe, the United States and China. Energy-efficient vessels using low-carbon or renewable fuels should be selected for the sea leg of the supply chain. Real-time tracking enhances supply chain visibility, allowing proactive adjustments to minimise delays and emissions. Packaging materials and protective coatings need to be biodegradable, recyclable, and reusable. Measurement of the emissions of the handling equipment is included in the sum of the carbon footprint. ER
