Maritime shipping accounts for around 2% of global CO₂ emissions, and the International Maritime Organization (IMO) has set a target of reducing total emissions from international shipping by at least 50% by 2050 compared to 2008.

To help steer the industry towards this goal, Navlandis has engineered a new type of shipping container, the “Zbox”, which uses 80% less space than traditional shipping containers when empty and folded. The extra space—typically created on return journeys—generates reductions in carbon emissions and transportation costs. For a full shipping load on a sample route from Nanjing in China to Toledo in Spain, and an empty return journey back to Nanjing, the Zbox reduced emissions by 32% and reduced costs by 17% . Efficiencies from the Zbox aren’t only limited to the transportation of the containers, they are also achieved through the extra storage space made available in terminals and depots.

The Zbox has been designed with almost identical specifications to regular containers—it has standard ISO dimensions, can withstand extreme conditions, and, owing to its strength, it can be placed anywhere on shipping vessels, including the bottom rung. The system has been patented since 2014 and has been designed with ease of handling in mind:it can be folded and unfolded with standard machinery found at any terminal or depot.

Navlandis works closely with its customers to analyse the routes on which the Zbox could have the greatest impact. Recently, it worked with Marguisa, a leading international container and project cargo line that runs regular services to and from West Africa, shipping more than 200,000 tons of freight per year. As a result of using the Zbox, Marguisa has reduced its logistics costs by 40% and reduced transit time by 33%.

Navlandis currently has an investment round open to reach the next operational milestone, adding 300 new Zbox folding containers to its fleet, to meet the demand of its current customers.

Learn more about Navlandis here