GBA Group hits 'Green Zero' for Volkswagen UK port and terminal

A relationship spanning almost a quarter of a century is firmly fixed on 2050 targets when it comes to sustainability.

GBA Group has achieved 'Green Zero' sustainability levels for port and terminal operations handled for Volkswagen Group. (Image: GBA Group)

The company behind the port and terminal operations for car giant Volkswagen Group has hit a major sustainability milestone.

Grimsby-headquartered GBA has achieved a CO2 neutral balance sheet when it comes to all land-based activities.

It has worked with the company for almost 25 years, importing every vehicle sold by VW, Audi, Seat, Cupra and Skoda through four East Coast locations, with numbers in the millions annually.

Last year it brought the new electric VW ID.3 into Britain, and it has recently aligned its own environmental, social and corporate governance commitments with the key client. 

It includes tangible target measures to support the Paris Agreement.

“We are extremely proud to have attained this significant goal of CO2 neutrality at our VWG ports and terminals,” Cale Judah, managing director of the GBA Group of Companies, said.

GBA Group of Companies managing director Cale Judah with the recognition at Port of Grimsby, where 500,000 vehicles are handled a year, including the new ID.3 arrivals from Volkswagen Group. (Image: GBA / Volkswagen UK)

“As we continue to advance toward our vision of a climate-neutral and sustainable economy, the strength of partnerships like those between GBA and VWG will be fundamental if we are to establish new and meaningful standards in our industry. We know there is much more we can do, and we look forward to the challenge”.

Vehicles arrive at Grimsby - the biggest port with a dedicated £25 million river terminal - as well as neighbouring Humber port Immingham, Tyne and Sheerness in Kent.

To hit ‘Green Zero’ - a target VWG has set for 2050 - GBA established its own sustainability forum last year, with the primary objectives of reduce, convert and compensate.

Mr Cale said it "facilitates board-level ownership of sustainability performance by developing and executing a strategy in line with the companies’ most forward-thinking partners".

It opted for the Katingan Mentaya project in Indonesia, protecting a 150,000 hectare forest and its carbon-rich peat soils from conversion into plantation areas.

The achievement was honoured during a visit to Grimsby with the presentation of an environmentally sustainable commemorative totem to the VWG team.

As well as port operations, GBA handles VWG’s centralised pre-delivery inspection capabilities, provides retailer network road haulage delivery services to selected regions, and manages various technology-led solutions, including customs processing.

By David Laister Business Editor (Humber)