How do you assess the overall impact of the green transformation on the logistics sector?
The Green Transformation, which has accelerated in response to global climate change, is especially prominent in the sectors responsible for the highest carbon emissions. The logistics sector, one of these, is leading this transformation on a global scale. Transport modes that minimise carbon emissions, such as intermodal, multimodal, sea and rail, are increasingly preferred. Strict rules that significantly reduce emission levels are also being introduced for road transport. By making this process mandatory, the EU Green Deal has in a sense turned the Green Transformation into a “compulsory route”.
In Türkiye, which sends nearly half of its exports to EU countries, it will become very difficult for companies that fail to take the necessary steps in the Green Transformation to survive. At the very least, entering EU markets will become almost impossible for them. I am pleased to say that companies in Türkiye take this issue very seriously and are allocating significant budgets to Green Transformation investments.
What steps is your company taking on environmental sustainability and reducing its carbon footprint?
We are one of the pioneers of intermodal transport in Türkiye, also known as the environmentally friendly transport mode, and one of the first companies to receive the Green Logistics Certificate. We stand out for our contribution to the spread of green logistics practices in the sector.
Last year, under the slogan #YarınınYolu (The Road of Tomorrow), we invested in a 100% electric tractor unit. We are the first logistics company in our country to add a 100% electric tractor unit to its fleet. We aim to increase the number of our electric tractor units to 15 by 2030.
We take the utmost care to ensure that the tractor units we use in road transport are low-emission, keeping carbon emissions to a minimum. As an international integrated logistics company operating in every area of logistics, we attach great importance to our intermodal and sea freight services. Last year, thanks to our green logistics practices, we prevented 80,000 tonnes of carbon emissions and saved 180 million kilowatt-hours of energy and 30 million litres of diesel.
How has the use of electric or hybrid vehicles changed your logistics operations?
We generally use our 100% electric tractor unit for transport between factories and ports. The vehicle has already covered around 30,000 kilometres. Since no carbon was emitted over these distances, these were entirely environmentally friendly operations.
How widespread is the use of renewable energy in your warehousing and transport processes?
We have installed solar panels on the roofs of the buildings at our headquarters in Büyükçekmece. We charge our 100% electric tractor unit with the energy generated by these solar panels. In addition to our headquarters, we have also installed an electric charging unit at our Şekerpınar garage. By gradually equipping the roofs of all our buildings, including our warehouses, with solar panels, we aim to source a significant share of the energy we consume from renewable sources.
What innovations and developments do you foresee in green logistics over the next five years?
With global climate change and the climate crisis increasingly felt around the world, both individuals and companies are becoming more sensitive to the green economy and sustainability. This sensitivity is now bringing demand for more environmentally friendly products and services into the way business is done. In addition to international frameworks such as the EU Green Deal and the Paris Climate Agreement, countries are also passing new laws in line with carbon-neutral targets.
In this context, green logistics practices will develop even faster over the next five years. Vehicles powered by alternative fuels and electric vehicles will become widespread in the logistics sector to minimise emissions. We also expect the use of autonomous vehicles to increase in order to reduce carbon emissions through route optimisation.
Environmentally sustainable methods and materials will be used not only in transport but across all logistics processes, including warehousing and packaging. Renewable energy use and energy saving will become even more prominent. Reverse logistics activities aimed at recycling used products and waste will become widespread, preventing the waste of resources and increasing efficiency.
