Amazon shifts from European roads to trains and boats

Amazon is increasingly using rail and sea transportation in Europe, with a 50 percent growth in utilization this year. According to the company, rail and short sea routes are not only more environmentally friendly but often more efficient and even faster.

Amazon is opting for trains or boats more frequently in and around our continent, and less often for trucks on the road. The company is collaborating with European carriers such as Cargo Beamer, Viia, the Mercitalia Group, Grimaldi, Stena Line, and DFDS to transport products through over 100 rail lanes and more than 300 sea routes, leading to nearly a halving of carbon emissions.

Europe’s unique infrastructure

According to Amazon, there are more advantages: “Europe’s unique geographic landscape and infrastructure mean that rail and sea routes are often a more efficient and even faster mode of transport for goods.”

‘Train and boat are often more efficient and even faster’

Amazon emphasizes that third-party sellers account for approximately 60 percent of sales on the platform. The online marketplace is constantly working on optimizing inventory across warehouses on the continent, including those of partners who use Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA).

Climate Pledge

With its Climate Pledge, co-signed by hundreds of other major companies, Amazon aims to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2040. This is ten years earlier than the ambition outlined in the Paris Climate Agreement.

Amazon aims to be climate-neutral by 2040

Amazon is attempting to make various aspects of its operations more sustainable, often in collaboration with chain partners. New steps are continually being taken and actively promoted. A year ago, the company announced an investment of over 1 billion euros until 2027 to decarbonize its transportation network in Europe.

Investments in sustainability

This year, Amazon has initiated dozens of renewable energy projects in Europe, strengthening the continent’s clean energy capacity and employment. Last month, the ecommerce giant announced that all boxes, bags, and envelopes used for deliveries in Europe are now recyclable. Just last week, Amazon revealed that its European second-hand sales have grown into a billion euros business.