• 7.2 Million Liters of SAF Annually: DHL Express secures its first Asia-based Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) supply, starting in April 2025.
• Pioneering Green Aviation: The deal establishes Asia’s first SAF-powered cargo service for international express shipping.
• Global Environmental Impact: SAF credits will be transferred transparently through international certification, enabling emission reductions for DHL customers worldwide.

DHL Express has signed a landmark agreement with Cosmo Oil Marketing Co., Ltd.

To purchase 7.2 million liters of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) annually, beginning April 2025. This initiative marks Asia’s first SAF-powered regular cargo service for international express shipping, reinforcing DHL’s leadership in sustainable logistics.

“This agreement makes DHL the first international express provider in Japan to integrate locally produced SAF into its operations,” said Tony Khan, President of DHL Express Japan. “SAF is the most effective solution to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in air transport, and this partnership underscores our commitment to providing emission-reduced shipping solutions for our customers.”

Related Article: DHL Global Forwarding Partners with IAG Cargo to Enable Sustainable Aviation Fuel

SAF Production and Supply:

The SAF will be produced by Saffaire Sky Energy LLC, a subsidiary of Cosmo Energy Holdings Co., Ltd., at a new mass production facility set to launch in 2025. The fuel will be delivered to Central Japan International Airport (Nagoya Airport), making it the first airport in Asia within DHL’s global network to utilize SAF.

Koji Moriyama, CEO of Cosmo Oil Marketing Co., Ltd., stated, “SAF plays an essential role in decarbonizing the aviation industry. We are proud to support DHL Express and its customers in reducing their carbon footprint and advancing toward a decarbonized society.”

Expanding DHL’s Green Network:

DHL currently uses SAF at major airports across Europe and the U.S., including Amsterdam, Los Angeles, and Miami. The addition of Japan to its SAF network expands its GoGreen Plus service, which allows customers to offset Scope 3 emissions through SAF use. These environmental benefits are transparently tracked via the International Sustainability & Carbon Certification Credit Transfer System, ensuring credibility along the value chain.

“GoGreen Plus ensures that customers worldwide can benefit from SAF’s environmental advantages, regardless of where it is loaded,” DHL explained.

Commitment to Net-Zero Goals:

DHL aims to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 through initiatives such as SAF integration, electrified delivery vehicles, and carbon-neutral facilities. This deal with Cosmo Oil exemplifies DHL’s focus on innovation and collaboration to address global environmental challenges.

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