Transformation plan for a logistics company

The project focused on the strategic development of the energy supply for the logistics site of Cremerius-Transport-Service GmbH (CTS) in the vicinity of the Port of Duisburg. To this end, a transformation plan was developed in accordance with the guidelines of the BAFA funding directive “Federal Funding for Energy and Resource Efficiency in the Economy (EEW)” (Module 5).

Based on a comprehensive analysis, concrete measures and implementation pathways were developed to gradually make the site greenhouse gas neutral by 2045. The minimum target was to reduce direct and indirect emissions (Scope 1 and 2) by 40 percent within ten years. Key questions focused on the systematic decarbonization of mobility and the prioritization of economically viable measures to achieve the minimum target:

• How can a logistics company with energy-intensive heavy-duty transport decarbonize in a systematic and transparent manner?
• How significant is the impact of individual measures on emissions reduction?
• Which technologies are already economically viable today, and which are more suitable for the medium to long term?
• How can investments be prioritized when multiple scenarios are possible?

Logistics hubs face unique decision-making challenges in the energy transition: rising performance demands, a growing share of electric vehicles, and the close interconnection of transportation, buildings, and energy infrastructure. At the CTS site near the Port of Duisburg, these requirements converge in a trimodal logistics operation. The transformation plan translates this starting point into a structured, economically sound development strategy for the site.

A key benefit lies in the planning certainty for investments. The transformation plan identifies which measures are technically feasible, what costs and emission reductions can be expected, and in what order investments can be sensibly prioritized. This provides CTS with a solid foundation for decisions regarding energy supply, charging infrastructure, and fleet transformation.

At the same time, the transformation plan specifically accounts for uncertainties in technology and the market environment, such as in the expansion of charging infrastructure for heavy-duty vehicles or in energy price trends. Scenarios are used to demonstrate how different developments can be taken into account without losing sight of the overarching emissions target. All target scenarios examined meet the required emission reduction compared to the current situation and allow for a step-by-step adjustment based on practical operational experience.

Further value is created through the coordinated consideration of energy supply and mobility. The transformation plan links the development of stationary energy infrastructure with the electrification of the vehicle fleet and highlights interactions – such as in power demand, peak loads, or the use of self-generated PV electricity. This results in a consistent strategy rather than isolated individual measures.

The transformation plan also enables CTS to track site-specific emissions in a transparent and traceable manner. It thus creates a robust foundation for emissions management, future reporting requirements, and the classification of implemented measures.

The approaches developed in the project are transferable to comparable logistics sites with their own vehicle fleets. The transformation plan offers structured and transparent guidance, particularly for energy-intensive sites facing similar decisions regarding electrification and energy infrastructure.

For the reference year, a comprehensive inventory of energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions was conducted in accordance with the GHG Protocol. Energy consumption is dominated by diesel for heavy-duty transport, which accounts for over 80 percent of total emissions. Nearly all measured energy quantities – and thus emissions – could be attributed to the individual facilities and processes at the site. From the measures initially discussed, 13 promising individual measures were selected; these were subsequently evaluated from technical, economic, and environmental perspectives and incorporated into the final transformation plan.

Three measures were successfully implemented even during the project period: the conversion of oil-fired heating systems to heat pumps, the ongoing electrification of the passenger car fleet, and the procurement of green electricity. Due to uncertainties regarding charging infrastructure and technological development, three possible scenarios were developed, each providing for a different combination of electrification and alternative fuels. All three scenarios significantly exceed the minimum reduction target of 40 percent, each achieving reductions of over 80 percent.

Following a comprehensive evaluation, a transformation pathway was selected that envisages a reduction in final energy demand and an emissions reduction in the target state of approximately 90 percent compared to the current state. A detailed timeline leading up to the target year was established, which calls for a strategic decision on final implementation following a pilot phase. To ensure flexibility, regular consultation mechanisms were agreed upon to enable a responsive approach to changing conditions.

• Cremerius-Transport-Service GmbH