Bacardi partnership promotes sustainable shipping

Bacardi is furthering its eco-friendly Good Spirited initiative by partnering with Ryder System, Inc. to promote sustainable shipping practices.

Bacardi is continuing its efforts to build a sustainable future and reduce any harmful impacts on the environment

The collaboration with Ryder – known for its fleet of trucks, tractors and trailers – will result in more sustainable logistics and supply-chain solutions with more of Bacardi’s shipments switching from truckload to intermodal.

“It’s what we call intermodal transportation,” said Robert Damon, Bacardi North American transportation Director. “Rail lines carry the product for long distances and then trucks are at the other end for the shorter haul.

“The upshot is that there are fewer big rigs on the highway which can help to lower CO2 emissions.”

Furthermore, the partnership includes a collaboration with the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), SmartWay Transport Partnership programme, which promotes vehicles equipped with clean, fuel efficient SmartWay Verified Technologies.

The drinks firm is also a member of GreenFreight Europe, the sister organisation of SmartWay, and has also been a semi-finalist in the EPA’s annual SmartWay Excellence Award process for superior environment performance for the past two years.

“In 2009, 65% of our shipments out of the Jacksonville facility were over the road – and 35% intermodal,” added Damon. “In just five years we have reversed that.

“We are now 65% intermodal and 35% over the road.”

Bacardi launched its environmental campaign Good Spirited across more than 150 markets last February.