Hermes: Emission-Free Delivery in Hamburg Starting 2023

12 million shipments per year CO2-free: Hermes is turning its home port into a green logistics metropolis. As part of “Green Delivery Hamburg,” Hermes Germany will deliver an entire city emissions-free for the first time. By the end of 2023, with the completion of the multi-phase transition, over 240 fully electric vehicles will transport 12 million shipments annually across all postal code areas.

(Hamburg) The logistics company is ramping up the volume of shipments moved electrically and thus emissions-free for Hamburg in several phases. The starting point is the groundbreaking for the new E-Mobility Hub in Billstedt in July, which will significantly expand the logistics provider’s charging infrastructure. Additional delivery bases will also be electrified. By the end of 2023, over 240 fully electric vehicles are expected to operate in all postal code areas of the Hanseatic city, transporting 12 million shipments annually. This will save 1,400 tons of CO2 per year.*

“Step by step, we are transitioning to emissions-free delivery in more and more cities. This includes our home port Hamburg,” explains Olaf Schabirosky, CEO of Hermes Germany, today during the presentation of the Green Delivery Hamburg project at a jubilee event celebrating Hermes’ 50th anniversary at the logistics center in Billbrook. “In the Hanseatic city, we are running our largest sustainability project to date. With the ambitious expansion of our e-transporter fleet and charging infrastructure, we are creating the conditions to operate emissions-free throughout Hamburg. We will then transport 12 million shipments CO2-free each year.”

Hermes increases its CO2-free shipment volume sixfold

Currently, a total of 49 e-transporters and five cargo bikes transport nearly two million shipments CO2-free to homes or to one of the 331 parcel shops located in the Hanseatic city each year. With the construction of a new E-Mobility Hub on Billstraße, the logistics provider is now beginning to fully electrify its fleet. Following the construction start in July 2022, the charging infrastructure will be ramped up in several stages, creating a second important launch base for emissions-free delivery in the Hanseatic city, in addition to the logistics center at Billbrookdeich. Furthermore, in subsequent phases, several delivery bases in the Hamburg area will be electrified to reach the outskirts with transporters powered by green electricity. The first milestone is to nearly double the share of e-vehicles in daily operation by the start of this year’s Christmas business. An e-truck will also be in daily use for the delivery traffic of the delivery bases. From then on, Hermes Germany will be able to move 4.5 million shipments emissions-free annually, resulting in a CO2 reduction of 578 tons per year. By around Easter 2023, 160 e-vehicles are expected to be in operation, capable of moving 8.5 million shipments annually. This means a reduction in CO2 emissions of 1,100 tons. By the end of 2023, all measures are expected to be completed. According to the current planning status, around 240 e-vehicles and five cargo bikes will be in operation. From this point on, Hermes will transport up to 12 million shipments fully electric each year. “We are aware that this plan is ambitious. Nevertheless, we are determined to follow this path as described and to deliver Hamburg completely emissions-free next year,” says Olaf Schabirosky.

1,400 tons less CO2 emissions for Hamburg per year

Around 240 fully electric vehicles and five cargo bikes will be in operation daily after the transition to electromobility is completed, covering more than five million kilometers annually in delivering shipments to homes and parcel shops, as well as in picking up shipments – all electrically and without emissions. “Part of our holistic approach is also to ensure that all participating distribution centers are supplied with green electricity,” explains Olaf Schabirosky and adds: “Only then can we truly speak of emissions-free transport of shipments.” Hermes’ own locations already have green electricity. At the same time, the logistics provider ensures that the smaller distribution centers of service partners also receive 100% green electricity as part of the transition to e-mobility. Together with the reduction from e-vehicles, this leads to a projected CO2 savings of approximately 1,400 tons per year. In total, in addition to the logistics center in Billbrook, five other smaller distribution centers in and around Hamburg are involved in the project.

What such a sustainable project means for the city of Hamburg is contextualized by Dr. Anjes Tjarks, Senator for Transport and Mobility Transition and also a guest at the jubilee event: “We have set ourselves the goal of shaping the mobility transition for Hamburg and thus making a very important contribution to climate protection, for more quality of life, but also for more mobility and for the economic future of the city. The mobility transition is embedded in the goals of the Hamburg Climate Plan as well as in traffic development planning. However, we can only achieve our climate protection goals if we think about mobility in a new and sustainable way, substantially reduce the mileage of combustion engines in daily traffic, and jointly think and advance the mobility transition with the city, society, and economy. The project by Hermes Germany shows how this can be done – and that mobility transition, climate protection, and economic performance can go hand in hand. By significantly reducing CO2 emissions through the transition to electric drives and delivery via cargo bikes, Hermes Germany supports the Senate’s goals and underscores Hamburg’s pioneering role in innovative, sustainable solutions in the mobility sector. Thus, the company is once again pioneering nationwide, just as it did 50 years ago at its founding. Because a mobile city and a functioning goods transport system are essential for the economic success of Hamburg.”

Hermes will continue to advance green logistics

As a parcel service provider, Hermes Germany is addressing the current challenges of city logistics in Germany with approaches like this and simultaneously contributing to more livable city centers. With the aim of emissions-free delivery throughout Hamburg, the parcel logistics provider underscores its own ambitions and builds on the efforts of recent years. Hamburg is now the next city where Hermes has created a very needs-oriented and locally adapted solution approach. This follows Berlin, Mainz, Dresden, and Magdeburg, among others. It is clear: Hermes Germany will continue to invest heavily in emissions-free delivery in Germany. Olaf Schabirosky emphasizes: “The awareness of the urgency of far-reaching climate measures is increasingly taking hold in society. Customers are increasingly basing their purchasing decisions on sustainable criteria. By advancing green city logistics, we offer them the opportunity to actively participate in climate protection regarding CO2-free delivery and pickup by choosing the logistics partner.”

* The figures take into account CO2 equivalents and the upstream emissions of all energy sources (including electricity).

Photo: © Hermes