Sustainability in the shipping industry is often considered to be a ‘big business’ problem. When you imagine freight travelling over the sea on vast cargo ships, it’s hard to comprehend how the small changes you can make as a company will have any noticeable impact. However, this perception is simply untrue – every effort made by all parties involved in the logistics industry builds to have a meaningful positive effect on this important global concern. Doing what you can to limit your company’s impact moves us towards those important net-zero targets set by the UK government and other countries worldwide. Whether to meet your ESG targets, improve your customer relations, or because of a personal moral compass, making small changes to the way you work with your international trade and shipping makes a big difference.

Small Changes for Big Results

What changes can be made by businesses like yours to reduce the impact on the environment and move us closer to net-zero?

Optimising the Route

How your cargo gets from you to its destination is hugely important. Many companies pay little attention to the route that their cargo takes, assuming that once goods leave their premises, the route is straightforward and direct – but without proper planning, shipments could be taken on unnecessarily long or somewhat circuitous journeys. This is especially true when carriers rely on single transport modes or have few partners. Without the flexibility of multimodal transport arrangements that combine road, sea, air and rail freight as they are needed, cargo can be set on inefficient routes that are less than ideal for reducing fuel use – as well as cost-effectiveness and efficiency.

Change: Choose a multimodal freight forwarder with a comprehensive worldwide network.

Consolidating the Load

Goods consolidation is the process whereby space on containers is carefully considered, with consignments from multiple businesses combined together to optimise the shipping. While some carriers offer minor levels of consolidation, it is only through a freight forwarder with a full overview of the process that truly efficient consolidation is possible, taking into consideration every leg of the journey from source to destination. Load consolidation is vital to meet sustainability targets.

Change: Work with a freight forwarder with the technology in place to offer comprehensive shipment consolidation as a standard service.

Consider Packaging

How you package your shipment is a primary consideration when looking at meeting net-zero targets, with eco-friendly packaging essential to maintain sustainability. Packing standards should focus on both the packaging itself, aiming for fully recycled and recyclable materials, and the efficient use of space, ensuring that everything is closely and securely packed without wasted space.

Change: Prioritise your packaging process, defining standard operating procedures that insist on sustainable materials and well-considered packing techniques. 

Use Green Carriers

The larger logistics world is working every day to improve, with more ecologically responsible fuels and transportation methods in constant development. By choosing to work with carriers who prioritise new sustainable technologies and systems, you promote sustainability and meet your ESG goals.

Change: Select a freight forwarder and partnered carriers based on their commitment to global sustainability.

Wider Technology Changes

Technology is at the core of sustainability for anyone involved in international trade. Modern digital tools with real-time tracking, AI-supported workflows, comprehensive data analytics and smoother user interactions increase efficiency, ensure a low-impact working environment, and allow for strategic responses to improve eco-responsibility throughout the business. Upgrading your systems and working with a tech-driven freight forwarder like Millennium Cargo will help you understand your impact on the global environment, adjust in the most effective way and meet your sustainability goals going forward.

Collaborating with the Entire Supply Chain

Your business does not work in isolation. Opening the conversation about sustainability with your entire supply chain, from suppliers to end customers, benefits all. By working together to improve your working practices, logistics infrastructure, and technological integration, sustainability targets are far easier to achieve. Sustainability is a shared responsibility. At Millennium Cargo, we strongly believe in working in tandem with our partners, from carriers to customers, pooling our knowledge and resources to make improvements in every area. We invite you to join us in this collaborative effort to make the greatest possible changes for the future of international shipping.

The Business Benefits

Meeting essential sustainability targets is an investment in and cost to your business, but it is not without significant benefits outside of meeting government targets and legal responsibilities. When you work towards net-zero in your shipping, your business gains through:

• Ongoing cost savings – Working with sustainable partners will bring the costs of your shipping down, with less reliance on fossil fuels and a more resilient supply chain.
• Improved reputation – Sustainability is a hot topic for businesses today. Making sure you are meeting your environmental goals and committing to a responsible agenda will improve your standing in multiple areas, including with customers, employees, partner companies and shareholders.
• Reliability – As you improve your sustainability, you will also engage with more reliable and trustworthy logistics partners, gaining in reliability in all your shipping and logistics.
• Avoiding penalties – With both the UK and international partners looking to encourage sustainability, many countries are imposing fees for those who don’t use environmentally responsible solutions. Meeting your sustainability goals will ensure you never fall foul of unwanted penalties. 

Working with Millennium Cargo to Support Greener Shipping

At Millennium Cargo, we promote sustainability in all corners of our sector. We prioritise working with green partners and bring the latest technology to the forefront to encourage environmental awareness and responsibility at every stage of the shipping process. We will work for you to maximise considerations such as cargo consolidation, multimodal transport methods and smart route planning. Make one small change today – call Millennium Cargo and speak to one of the team. We help you get your cargo to its destination – sustainably.