Impact at a Glance
% reduction in emissions per container
% reduction in energy consumption
Logistics
From its manufacturing facility in Belgium, Tate designs and engineers fully integrated power and cooling modular HAC systems for data centers around the world, supporting customers with AI and mission-critical infrastructure solutions.
As part of Tate's Planet Passionate commitment, an opportunity was identified within logistics to reduce emissions while maintaining operational performance.
Historically, containers were transported by road from suppliers to the Port of Antwerp before being shipped overseas. While this approach provided a reliable route to market, it relied heavily on long-distance trucking, resulting in higher carbon emissions, greater energy consumption, increased road congestion, and rising transport costs.
Multimodal Transport Strategy
Working in partnership with the Port of Limburg, Tate Belgium introduced a multimodal transport strategy combining short-distance road transport with inland waterway shipping. Containers are transported nine kilometres to the Port of Limburg, consolidated, and transferred by barge to the Port of Antwerp for onward shipment to the United States.
This process reduces reliance on long-haul road transport while maintaining a reliable and efficient logistics route.
While the revised route adds only one additional day to transit times, it delivers substantial environmental and operational benefits.
The Results
The transition to multimodal transport has delivered measurable environmental, social, and economic benefits.
Environmental Impact
- 7.7 tonnes of CO₂ emissions avoided
- 57% reduction in emissions per container
- More than 60% reduction in energy consumption
- Reduced air pollution associated with long-distance road transport
- Lower noise pollution in key logistics corridors
The energy savings achieved are equivalent to the annual energy consumption of more than 40 average Belgian households.
Social Impact
By reducing freight traffic on busy road networks, the project also contributes to:
- Reduced road congestion
- Lower transport-related safety risks
- Improved quality of life in communities surrounding major transport routes
Business Impact
The initiative has generated meaningful cost efficiencies while strengthening supply chain resilience.
- €70 saving per container
- €4,550 total transport savings
- Improved utilisation of existing transport infrastructure
- Greater control over logistics risks through a diversified transport network
Delivering Planet Passionate in Practice
This initiative demonstrates how sustainability and operational performance can work hand in hand.
By rethinking a well-established logistics process, Tate Belgium successfully reduced its transport-related environmental impact while maintaining the reliability required to support customers across global markets.
By embracing multimodal transport, Tate Belgium is supporting its ESG and CSRD commitments while building a more efficient and resilient supply chain, demonstrating how Planet Passionate turns sustainability ambitions into measurable action.
