DHL Express is committed to decarbonizing aviation logistics and making it more sustainable. To make this possible, we regularly enter into strategic partnerships. A good example is the new partnership with bp and Neste. Over the next five years, we will purchase more than 800 million litres of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) from them. These new agreements are among the largest SAF deals ever in aviation. So we can certainly be proud of that!
What can we do with 800 million litres of SAF?
We previously announced the introduction of SAF in our San Francisco, East Midlands and Amsterdam networks. With these agreements, we have already exceeded 50% of our target to have 10% SAF in the fuel mix by 2026. And that applies to all of our air travel! DHL expects the strategic partnerships to lead to savings of approximately two million tonnes of CO2 emissions over the life cycle of the jet fuel. By comparison, this is equivalent to the annual greenhouse gas emissions of approximately 400,000 passenger cars!
DHL Express transports more than 480 million documents and parcels a year across its global network. For example, the 800 million litres of SAF would enable 1,000 annual flights between Cincinnati (USA) and Leipzig (Germany) using a Boeing 777 over a 12-year period. We then assume 100% SAF use. In total, that means 12,000 carbon-neutral long-haul flights. Not bad, right?
Greener aviation thanks to SAF deals
“As the world’s largest logistics service provider, we strive to provide our customers with more sustainable transport solutions. The SAF deals with bp and Neste are an important step towards making the aviation industry greener. They validate the framework of our Sustainability Roadmap. The use of SAF is one of the key opportunities to reduce CO2 emissions in the aviation industry.”
Frank Appel, CEO Deutsche Post DHL Group.
“We are proud of this agreement which further deepens our strategic relationship with DHL. Bp is developing into an integrated energy company and we are therefore making the most of our value chain that includes raw materials, logistics and airport infrastructure. Few companies have the trade expertise in SAF to design and deliver solutions to complex customer needs. Our ambition is to work even more closely with airports and airlines on low-carbon options. In addition, we want SAF to move at a rapid pace to help the global aviation industry realise its ambitions for lower carbon emissions.”
Martin Thomsen, Senior Vice President Air bp
30% SAF in the fuel mix by 2030
DHL has committed to using 30% SAF in the fuel mix for all air transport by 2030. Both suppliers, bp and Neste, will supply SAF made from waste oil. Because SAF is made from waste and residues, it can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 80%. This will reduce DHL’s carbon footprint. To ensure that the fuel is sustainable, it does not use raw materials that compete with food production. It also does not use raw materials that cause indirect land use change.
“With each new SAF agreement, we become more conscious of using more sustainable solutions to serve our customers. Not a day goes by without our customers asking us about low-carbon logistics solutions. They are asking us to work together in a common ambition for a more sustainable future. The new SAF agreements with bp and Neste are milestones in realising that ambition. We aim to inspire more SAF suppliers to address the current supply shortage. At the same time, we are calling on policymakers to establish the right framework to accelerate the market introduction of SAF globally. There also needs to be an accounting mechanism so that SAF can be purchased and used flexibly.”
John Pearson, CEO DHL Express
The biggest SAF deal ever
“Our largest agreement to date for SAF is a real milestone. It underlines the growing need, urgency and commitment to take action on aviation-related emissions. We are delighted to take this important step together with DHL. It demonstrates the shared ambitions of both companies. It represents further progress in our efforts to create a healthier planet for our children. Today’s announcement also reflects how we are concretely helping customers reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 20 million tonnes of CO2 per year by 2030. SAF is a cornerstone of the aviation industry’s efforts to achieve netzero emissions by 2050. It requires a concerted effort across the aviation value chain with all stakeholders to achieve that goal. We will need to make the best use of all available resources and solutions.”
Peter Vanacker, CEO van Neste.
DHL Express plans to expand its partnerships with suppliers of sustainable aviation fuel in the future. This will allow us to continue to increase the SAF percentage in our air transport. We remain committed to supporting innovative technologies. This will enable us to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions from aviation.
