DHL Express has signed a significant agreement with Cosmo Oil Marketing Co., Ltd. to purchase Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) to reduce emissions in air freight operations within Japan. DHL will start using SAF for cargo flights in April 2025, marking Asia’s first such initiative in express industry.
Key SAF Procurement Contract Details
DHL Express will purchase 7.2 million liters of SAF annually from Saffaire Sky Energy, a Cosmo Energy subsidiary. The mass production facility, set to begin operations in 2025, will manufacture the SAF. This partnership ensures a reliable SAF supply for DHL Express, helping drive sustainable air cargo transport initiatives across Japan.
Tony Khan, President of DHL Express Japan, expressed enthusiasm for the deal, stating, “We are pleased that, through our agreement with Cosmo Oil Marketing, we will be the first international express provider in Japan to use the locally produced SAF on scheduled regular cargo flights.”
He added, “SAF is currently the most effective solution for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in air transport. Moving forward, as part of our responsibility to customers in Japan, we are committed to promoting emission-reduced shipping solutions and to contributing to the reduction of the transport sector’s environmental impact.”
Expanding SAF Procurement Network
This agreement marks DHL’s first SAF procurement in Asia, building on global partnerships with airports like Schiphol and Los Angeles. This partnership will also supply SAF to Nagoya Airport, making it the first Asian airport to use SAF in DHL’s network.
Also read: DHL Express partners with Bank of Philippine Islands for sustainable shipping with SAF
Enhancing GoGreen Plus with SAF
Since 2022, DHL Express has provided GoGreen Plus, enabling customers to offset Scope 3 emissions with SAF. DHL sources the fuel for this program through large-scale contracts, partnering with BP, Neste, and World Energy. The International Sustainability & Carbon Certification Credit Transfer System tracks SAF’s environmental impact, ensuring transparency and credibility across the supply chain.
Moreover, the GoGreen Plus service lets users worldwide benefit from SAF, no matter the source or aircraft, through the book-and-claim system.