Lineage projects highlight sustainable transportation solutions in…

Collaboration is fueling sustainability progress in Seattle, where a Lineage facility recently replaced an older-model diesel yard truck with a new electric yard truck - an upgrade made possible with help from the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency, which partnered with Lineage to secure an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) grant to fund the project. Through its Diesel Reduction Program, the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency partners with fleets to make the switch from diesel to zero-emission alternatives, bringing cleaner air to the region.

Yard trucks (sometimes called yard goats) are on-premise vehicles used to move trailers from trucks to loading docks at a warehouse. Because they consume diesel fuel, traditional yard trucks have historically been contributors to Lineage's total carbon emissions. The Orange EV yard truck, by contrast, does not generate emissions and has the added benefit of running quieter than their diesel counterparts.

The new electric yard truck is an Orange EV model e-TRIEVER® which is a purpose-built, zero-emission Class 8 terminal truck. By transitioning to an electric yard truck, the facility is expected to reduce carbon dioxide, diesel particulate matter, nitrogen oxides, and other pollutants emitted by diesel combustion engines. EV yard trucks also provide a better driver experience as they do not have the harsh vibration, engine heat, and noxious fuels that come with diesel engines.

To date, Lineage has deployed more than 30 electric, zero emission yard trucks at facilities across our North American network. The transition to electric yard trucks, combined with our work to make our unloading schedules more efficient, is helping to reduce average emissions generated during this process.

As part of the grant requirements, the retired diesel truck has been scrapped through a local recycling company.

Piloting programs and projects with positive results

The electric yard truck upgrade in Seattle is one of the latest examples of Lineage's ongoing effort to reduce the environmental impact of our operations. Because transportation is a significant contributor to our global emissions, we're actively exploring multiple ways to make more efficient use of the fuel resources at our disposal.

For example, we've conducted a pilot with a retail customer to understand how operating our fleet with hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) - a renewable fuel produced from vegetable oils and fats - might impact performance and emissions. The testing included baseline data measurements and eight weeks of data gathered from HVO-powered operations over routes spanning approximately 12,240 miles. We attempted to control as many variables as possible during this process, utilizing the same driver and vehicle on each set route, while also capturing variable data points such as external temperature, time of day and payload - all of which impact consumption rates. The results of the pilot were promising and showed an average reduction of approximately 92% in CO2 emissions as well as a positive increase in fuel consumption (around 8%).

Another example comes from our European team, who rethought how trailers can be moved with help from an innovative company. Recognizing the sustainability benefits of rail transportation, they're working with a company that developed a loading technique that allows for any type of European-standard semi-trailer to be carried by trains on railways.

Through this collaboration, our team has successfully transported some of our semi-trailers using the rail motorway from the south to the north of France, reducing both the number of trucks on the road and their associated emissions. In 2024, we completed a total of 261 journeys using this rail motorway and achieved a carbon footprint reduction of approximately 314.1 tons (314,133.8 kg).*

Leveraging data insights for greater efficiency

On average, cold chain customers spend approximately 25% of their refrigerated supply chain costs on cold storage while transportation costs are often much higher. Using our in-house data science capabilities, Lineage supports customers seeking to optimize their supply chains with supply chain engineering. By taking a closer look at the data - facility locations, transportation modes and routes, inventory levels and demand patterns, and more - we can address specific challenges. One network insight analysis found a $2 million potential savings in transportation costs for a U.S. importer and exporter.

For customers shipping to retailer or foodservice locations, Lineage's multi-vendor consolidation program (called Lineage Velocities) can provide another way to control transportation costs and reduce empty miles. Velocities combines shipments with other vendors shipping to similar locations and building efficient, high-match deliveries. The shared truckloads help customers control costs and reduce wasted fuel from partial loads while also meeting strict delivery requirements.

Lineage is also working with a leader in transportation technology and market insights to enable the decarbonization of our transportation operations. This collaboration enables us to enhance visibility across our transportation network, identify strategic opportunities, deliver sustainable fuel solutions, manage costs and foster equitable partnerships with carriers.

We have leveraged this partner's data to set miles per gallon (MPG) expectations to encourage our carriers to enhance their fuel efficiency and align with our environmental goals. Our transportation team proactively reviews our highest-emission lanes - often those involving long distances or high volumes - to uncover optimization opportunities or alternative mode opportunities. By strategically awarding transportation contracts and re-evaluating underperforming lanes, we prioritize partnerships with carriers who share our focus on emissions reduction initiatives.

Additionally, Lineage participates in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) SmartWay Transport Partnership and has been recognized by the U.S. Department of Energy for its energy-efficient practices.

Working together to make a better cold chain

As a leader in the temperature-controlled logistics industry, Lineage is dedicated to continually improving our operations and reducing our environmental footprint while providing essential services to customers. The project with Puget Sound Clean Air Agency and Orange EV is a great example of how we work towards this goal with the support of corporate, non-profit, and NGO leaders in sustainability.

To learn more about Lineage and our work to create a better cold chain, please see our website.

Footnotes:

*Emissions were calculated by our rail partner using the GEI informational methodological guide for transport services prepared by ADEME.