Air, Freight News, Logistics, Sea

Bringing it all back home – by sea, not air

[ March 20, 2025   //   Chris Lewis ]

Unit load device (ULD) management company SkyCell has launched a Net ZERO Reverse in partnership with Emirates SkyCargo to return empty airfreight containers at lower costs and emissions back to origin by sea. It says the one-way lease model cuts CO2 emissions by more than 90%.

Under Net ZERO Reverse, pharmaceutical shipments are transported via air in SkyCell’s hybrid containers, already saving CO₂e compared to active containers or one-way packaging.

Once the shipment arrives at the destination warehouse, the empty containers are returned by ocean freight, managed by SkyCell and its freight forwarder partners. This achieves an emission reduction of over 90% compared to the equivalent leg by air, according to MIT figures.

 SkyCell chief executive, Richard Ettl, said: “Pharma supply chains are at an inflection point. It’s no longer just cost and risk – CO₂e has become a key criterion as pharma companies are working on achieving their set net zero targets.  Net ZERO Reverse is our answer to these challenges.”

Tags: Emirates SkyCargo, SkyCell