LOWER-CARBON FREIGHT ROUTING

An illustrative comparison for a 40-foot container carrying 20 metric tonnes

When a European buyer purchases enough goods to fill a 40-foot container carrying approximately 20 metric tonnes, the delivery route can make a meaningful difference to the shipment’s transport-related carbon footprint.

The following comparison illustrates two common supply-chain routes. It uses a standard planning factor rather than carrier-specific emissions data, so the results should be presented as estimates.

Route A: Delivery Through One or More Distributors

Under a traditional distribution model, the container arrives at a European port and is transported to an inland distributor’s warehouse. The cargo may then be stored, handled, divided or transferred to another regional distributor before it is finally delivered to the buyer.

European port  →  Central distributor  →  Regional distributor  →  Buyer 

Every additional transport leg can increase the total freight distance. Additional handling, warehousing and partial-load deliveries may also add emissions, although those activities are outside this simplified road-transport calculation.

For a 20-tonne load, the estimated emissions per kilometre are:

20 tonnes × 0.05 kg CO₂e/t-km = 1.0 kg CO₂e per container-km 

If the combined road distance through one inland distributor is 700 kilometres, estimated transport emissions are:

20 × 700 × 0.05 = 700 kg CO₂e

If routing through two distribution warehouses increases the total distance to 1,000 kilometres, estimated transport emissions rise to:

20 × 1,000 × 0.05 = 1,000 kg CO₂e 

Route B: Direct Delivery From Port to Buyer

If the buyer has ordered a full 40-foot container, it may be possible to transport it directly from the European port to the buyer’s warehouse.

European port  →  Buyer’s warehouse 

Assume that the direct road distance is 300 kilometres. Estimated transport emissions are:

20 × 300 × 0.05 = 300 kg CO₂e 

The direct route avoids unnecessary inland detours while keeping the cargo together as one full load.

Potential Carbon Savings

Using the illustrative distances above, the comparison is:

Compared with the 700-kilometre route through one distributor, direct delivery saves an estimated 400 kg CO₂e, or approximately 57% of road-transport emissions.

Compared with the 1,000-kilometre route through two distributors, direct delivery saves an estimated 700 kg CO₂e, or approximately 70%.

Why Direct Delivery Can Make Sense

When a buyer has enough cargo to fill a complete container, routing it through multiple distribution centres may provide limited logistical benefit. Direct delivery can potentially provide:

l Fewer kilometres travelled and lower transport-related emissions

l Less cargo handling and a lower risk of handling damage

l Shorter, simpler and more predictable delivery

l Lower warehousing and distribution costs

l Better visibility across the supply chain

Direct delivery does not automatically produce lower emissions in every case. The result depends on the actual port, distributor and buyer locations; vehicle technology; load utilisation; empty return journeys; and whether distributors consolidate several customers’ orders efficiently.

Calculate the Saving for Your Shipment

For a 20-tonne full-container load, estimated European road-transport emissions can be calculated as:

Estimated CO₂e (kg) = Distance travelled (km) × 1.0 

The estimated benefit of direct delivery is:

CO₂e saved (kg) = (Route A distance − Route B distance) × 1.0 

For example, eliminating 400 kilometres of unnecessary transport would save approximately 400 kg CO₂e.

A More Efficient Supply Chain

Direct port-to-buyer delivery is not only about lowering purchasing costs. When cargo volume justifies a full container, eliminating unnecessary distribution legs can also reduce transport emissions and make the supply chain simpler and more transparent.

At Printlocka, we work to identify an appropriate delivery route for each order. Depending on the product, volume, stock availability and delivery requirements, this may include delivery from our European warehouse or direct shipment to the customer.

A shorter supply chain can mean fewer kilometres, fewer handling stages and lower transport-related emissions—creating value for the buyer while reducing the environmental impact of freight movement.

If you would like to calculate how to reduce carbon emissions across more flexible logistic solutions, please contact us: info@printlocka.com

Calculation Note

The examples use an indicative road-freight factor of 0.05 kg CO₂e per tonne-kilometre. They cover European road transport only and exclude ocean freight, port handling, warehousing, packaging and product manufacturing. Actual emissions should be calculated using carrier-specific information and verified route distances. CO₂e means carbon-dioxide equivalent.

Methodology references

GLEC Framework v3.1 (Smart Freight Centre; aligned with ISO 14083) and UK Government GHG Conversion Factors 2025.