DHL Express has entered an agreement with Cosmo Oil Marketing for the annual purchase of 7.2 million litres of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).
Starting in April 2025, the SAF will be used in DHL Express’s regular cargo flights, marking the first such initiative for the international express industry in Asia.
The agreement also represents DHL’s inaugural SAF procurement in the region.
The SAF, produced by Saffaire Sky Energy – a subsidiary of Cosmo Energy Holdings – will be manufactured at a mass production facility slated to begin operations in 2025.
Deliveries will be made to Central Japan International Airport, making it the first airport in Asia within DHL’s global network of more than 500 locations to receive SAF.
Tony Khan, president of DHL Express Japan, highlighted the importance of the partnership, stating: “We are pleased to be the first international express provider in Japan to use locally produced SAF on scheduled regular cargo flights.
“SAF is currently the most effective solution for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in air transport.”
Koji Moriyama, president of Cosmo Oil Marketing, added: “SAF plays an essential role in the decarbonisation of the aviation industry, and we are excited to be part of this initiative.”
The agreement also incorporates the International Sustainability & Carbon Certification Credit Transfer System, ensuring transparent environmental claims from production to end-use.
DHL said the integration complements the 3PL’s GoGreen Plus service, which enables customers to offset Scope 3 emissions through SAF-based in-setting, regardless of where the fuel is used.
DHL Express has already integrated SAF into operations at major global hubs, including airports in the Netherlands, Sweden, Belgium, the UK, the USA and Germany.
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