Yusen Logistics is committed to prioritizing environmental, social, and governance (ESG) initiatives to become the world’s preferred supply chain logistics company

Yusen Logistics, an international freight forwarding company, recognizes that tackling global challenges such as climate change is becoming increasingly important. The company is committed to prioritizing environmental, social, and governance (ESG) initiatives to become the world’s preferred supply chain logistics company and provide exceptional value to stakeholders. The company’s brand promise, “Create Better Connections,” allows it to work as an intermediary between different organizations, helping to resolve social problems and contribute to sustainable development.

One of Yusen Logistics (Thailand)’s main goals is to achieve net-zero emissions for all customer services by 2050 and start offering net-zero emission services by 2030. To learn more about the company’s ESG plans, we spoke with Mr. Koichi Hirose, Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Mr. Suwajchai Paoprayoon, Executive Officer of Land Transportation Groups and Supply Chain Management, and Ms. Rinda Rosalda Junior, Executive Officer of the Business Development Unit, who shared their insights into the company’s objectives.

Transforming into an Environmentally Sustainable Company

Yusen Logistics plays a crucial role in the current era of collaborative efforts to address various global challenges. Acting as a hub for change, the company facilitates connections between its diverse stakeholders, including customers, business partners, shareholders, employees, the student and talent market, the next generation, and community and government entities.

“Our vision as a company is to connect people, businesses and communities to a better future – through logistics,” said Mr. Hirose. “This is reinforced by our mission to become the world’s preferred supply chain logistics company – applying insight, service quality, and innovation to create sustainable growth for businesses and society. As part of the NYK family, which has an integrated Group ESG Vision, we operate as a Customer Strategic Partner, working closely with our customers to help solve problems, and as a Sustainable Solution Provider, we aim to resolve social issues and create new value through business.”

“At Yusen Logistics (Thailand), we are heading to a green and sustainable future, securing long-term success while at the same time protecting the environment,” added Mr. Paoprayoon.

Now more than ever, there is a need for companies worldwide to tackle climate change, air pollution, marine pollution, resource depletion, and global issues that demand collective solutions. Consequently, Yusen Logistics is committed to becoming environmentally sustainable. One example that makes it clear for its customers to accurately measure their carbon footprint is the company’s online e-calculator, a tool for calculating carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions for Air/Ocean/Truck and Train cargo transportation. Using this tool, it is possible to estimate the amount of CO2 emissions for multimodal end-to-end shipments, allowing its customers to make informed decisions about their transportation choices.

The company is also exploring and implementing various eco-friendly practices such as reducing waste, conserving energy, and using renewable resources, as well as actively seeking out partnerships with other organizations and suppliers who share its commitment to sustainability. Through these efforts, it strives to minimize its environmental impact and create a more sustainable future for generations to come.

Local Environmental Activities

In Thailand, the company is currently conducting a trial run of Electric Vehicles (EVs), including a 10-wheel trailer, a 6-wheel truck and a 4-wheel pick-up truck, with a plan to invest in implementing more EVs into its fleet next year to decrease CO2 emissions.

“EVs offer numerous benefits for the logistics industry. First and foremost, they are cost-effective. The cost of electricity is significantly lower than gasoline or diesel, allowing for substantial savings on fuel expenses. Additionally, EVs are environmentally friendly, emitting zero emissions and reducing carbon footprints. This makes them an excellent choice for companies that want to be socially responsible and comply with environmental regulations,” said Mr. Paoprayoon.

“Furthermore, EVs have fewer moving parts, require less maintenance, and have a longer lifespan. They also provide a quieter and smoother ride, making them ideal for urban deliveries and reducing noise pollution in residential areas. Overall, EVs offer a compelling case for logistics companies looking to increase efficiency and operate sustainably.”

Yusen Logistics (Thailand) also plans to participate in the 14^th Carbon Neutral Project arranged by the NYK Group this year. The program consists of reforestation and nourishing existing places of natural significance. Additionally, it will attend mangrove planting and coral restoration projects with its customers, acting as a partner for environmental protection and safeguarding coastal ecosystems and marine biodiversity.

Within its offices, the company has embraced a paperless culture to minimize its environmental impact. “Our comprehensive ESG strategy reflects our commitment to sustainability, encompassing eco-friendly practices throughout our operations,” stated Mr. Paoprayoon.

“Moreover, within our warehouses, we have installed solar panels at the Yusen Bangna Logistics Centre (YBLC) warehouse and developed a monthly CO2 emission calculation dashboard for our customers. The dashboard will enable customers to monitor their CO2 emission similarly to our online e-calculator, said Mr. Paoprayoon “.  

People are the Most Important Asset

Yusen Logistics values its people, prioritizing employee engagement, diversity, equity, inclusion, safety, well-being, and development. Thus, it offers skill development and training programs and believes in contributing to society. The company also strives to create a safe and healthy workplace for employees, viewing their health and well-being as key to its success and aims to increase employee engagement and create a high-performing workforce.

“Yusen Logistics supports the growth of all employees and values its diverse workforce,” said Mr. Hirose. “Our corporate culture is built on respect, understanding, and inclusion, and we aim to build a strong organizational foundation by respecting individuality and making unbiased decisions.”

The company is dedicated to being a good corporate citizen and honoring its core values. To this end, Yusen Logistics supports social contribution initiatives such as disaster support, environmental conservation, welfare, and cultural support worldwide, with the company’s employees sharing in this sense of responsibility and contributing accordingly.

“Beyond environmental initiatives in Thailand, we actively engage with local communities, such as participating in charity activities at orphanages and elderly nursing homes once a year. Recently, we supported a charity donation to the Yutaka Football Academy (YFA) initiative for the Thai-Japan Deaf Kids International Soccer Exchange. All these activities and participations allow us to promote social well-being and sustainable development in the regions where we operate,” said Ms. Rosalda.

Committed to Earning and Keeping Your Trust

In a business climate often fraught with poor management, corporate fraud, and a lack of business transparency and internal controls, Yusen Logistics takes its corporate responsibility seriously. The company is committed to earning and keeping the trust of its shareholders, business partners, customers, employees, and other stakeholders.

To maintain its position as a trustworthy logistics service provider to its worldwide customers, Yusen Logistics believes establishing and maintaining a group compliance system is one of its highest priorities. Unlike a product manufacturer or a carrier that operates ships and aircraft, Yusen Logistics is a company based on its employees’ day-to-day activities. The company understands that its most important assets are its employees and their knowledge and experience.

“To maintain trust and ensure our employees can act to the best of their abilities, our officers and employees act in accordance with all local and international laws and understand the significance and importance of compliance in their daily activities. We have established a “Code of Conduct” which everyone in the Group must comply with when performing day-to-day business activities. We believe that compliance with this “Code of Conduct” is the first step of providing superior service and obtaining the trust of our customers,” said Mr. Hirose.

Driving into a Better Future

Yusen Logistics’ use of EVs and other sustainable means of energy consumption in its logistics operations clearly demonstrates its commitment to ESG goals, acting as a strong foundation for moving forward. These initiatives significantly contribute to reducing its carbon footprint and promoting sustainable practices. This dedication to creating a cleaner and more sustainable environment is a crucial aspect of its success, and it is a testament to its determination to build a better world for future generations.