JCL Logistics Focuses on Sustainability in Transportation

The owner-managed logistics service provider JCL Logistics is now offering its customers additional options for environmentally friendly transportation. To further advance its sustainability strategy, the logistics company is now deploying a new dual-power locomotive for its regular train from Bremen to Southern Germany in its Road & Rail sector.

(Baar) In the B2C division, which handles end customer deliveries for well-known retailers, JCL is also relying on green energy: In June, a test run with an electric vehicle for the customer IKEA successfully concluded. In the rail sector, electric operation under overhead lines is significantly more cost-efficient and environmentally friendly compared to diesel operation, but not all routes in Germany are fully electrified yet. For this reason, JCL operates its regular train between Bremen and the destinations Hof and Neumarkt (Upper Palatinate) with a new Vectron Dual Mode locomotive. This combines the advantages of a fully-fledged diesel locomotive with those of electric locomotives.

Green Rail Power from Renewable Energies

JCL is thus operating on this route 100 percent CO2-neutral, as the train uses certified green rail power from renewable energies. With three round trips per week, the company shifts approximately 7,500 truck transports per year onto the rails on this route, significantly contributing to reducing the ecological footprint of its customers. In the test run with an electric vehicle for deliveries for the customer IKEA in the Cologne area, a Citroën e-Jumper was used. This is a 4-ton vehicle with a lift platform and box body. With a payload of 965 kg, the manufacturer promises a range of about 200 km. Among other reasons due to the Corona crisis, JCL has seen a strong increase in online orders in the B2C sector for several months, making environmentally friendly transport options increasingly important. For orders in urban delivery areas, the vehicle has proven itself in this context for JCL. New studies show that it is possible to largely decarbonize numerous supply chains. The individual steps are often small, but the overall effect is significant. To date, JCL has already implemented various measures to reduce harmful emissions, such as the deployment of a new fleet of EUR Class 6 vehicles, a company-wide reduction in energy consumption, and proper waste separation. The planned use of electric and hybrid vehicles is now another component in the implementation of the company’s sustainability strategy. JCL has been certified according to EMAS (The Eco Management and Audit Scheme) since 2020.

Comprehensively Sustainable Logistics Company as a Goal

This standard includes all elements of the environmental management system standard ISO 14001 but goes beyond its requirements. A successful validation according to EMAS includes successful certification according to ISO 14001. Svend Hartog, CEO B2C and Member of the Management Board of JCL Logistics, states: “As a globally operating logistics specialist, JCL is aware of its great responsibility towards the environment and future generations. We are committed to expanding our services in an ecologically responsible manner. By saving harmful emissions, we are getting closer to our goal of developing JCL into a comprehensively sustainable logistics company.”
Photo: © JCL