DHL: Asia's First Sustainable Aviation Fuel Cargo Service

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DHL Express partners with Cosmo Energy to purchase 7,200 kiloliters of sustainable aviation fuel annually (Credit: DHL)
DHL Express partners with Cosmo Energy to purchase 7,200 kilolitres of SAF annually and launch Asia's first SAF-powered regular cargo service

DHL Express is making a big change towards sustainable air transport by rolling out Asia's inaugural regular cargo service powered by sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).

The logistics giant has secured a significant yearly supply of 7,200 kilolitres of SAF from Cosmo Energy Holdings, a dynamic player in the Japanese oil market.

This deal not only marks DHL's initial foray into SAF acquisition in Asia but also elevates Chubu Centrair International Airport in Japan to a central role in sustainable air freight.

This pact is a reflection of DHL's overarching ambition to augment SAF utilisation to a minimum of 30% by the year 2030.

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Tony Khan, President of DHL in Japan, has divulged plans to widen SAF acquisition to three additional airports within this year, including another strategic location in Asia.

This expansion boosts the number of airports in DHL's network utilising SAF to 10 globally, underscoring the firm's commitment to more environmentally friendly logistics practices.

Boosting Japan's SAF Output

Leading the charge is Cosmo Energy, Japan's third largest oil refiner.

The company is poised to kickstart substantial SAF production come April at its Sakai refinery situated in Osaka, aiming for a production capacity of 30,000 kilolitres annually.

This pioneering project in Japan will utilise waste cooking oil and collaborate with two other partner companies.

DHL's SAF will be supplied by Saffaire Sky Energy, a Cosmo subsidiary, which is on track to begin mass production in a newly created facility by 2025.

This agreement not only secures a steady stream of SAF for DHL but also fortifies Japan's position in the sustainable aviation sphere.

Tony says: "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.

Tony Khan, President of DHL Japan

"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."

Koji Moriyama, President and CEO of Cosmo Oil Marketing, echoes this commitment: "We are delighted to contribute to the decarbonisation efforts of DHL Express and its customers through SAF, one of our key decarbonisation products.

"SAF plays an essential role in the decarbonisation of the aviation industry and we are excited to be part of this important initiative.

"Moving forward, we will continue to support the realisation of a decarbonised society, starting with this collaboration, by promoting the use of SAF."

Expanding SAF across DHL's global network

DHL Express already integrates SAF into its operations at prominent airports globally, including Amsterdam Schiphol (Netherlands), Stockholm Arlanda Airport (Sweden), Brussels Airport (Belgium), East Midlands Airport (UK), Los Angeles International Airport (US), Leipzig Airport (Germany), Miami International Airport (US), San Francisco International Airport (US) and Stansted Airport (UK).

With the incorporation of Chubu Centrair International Airport, DHL is introducing SAF to Asia for the first time across its expansive air network that includes over 500 airports.

Simultaneously, DHL continues to advance its GoGreen Plus initiative, a 2022 service innovation that enables clients to offset their Scope 3 emissions—those produced by its suppliers—utilising SAF.

Mr. Koji Moriyama, President, Representative Director of Cosmo Oil Marketing Co., Ltd. (left) andTony Khan, President and Representative Director of DHL Express Japan (right) (Credit: DHL)

The company's SAF procurement strategy encompasses partnerships with notable firms including BP, Neste and World Energy.

The addition of Cosmo Oil to this supplier cadre reinforces DHL's capability in delivering credible, transparent carbon reductions.

An integral part of the agreement is the deployment of the International Sustainability & Carbon Certification (ISCC) Credit Transfer System, ensuring that the environmental merits of SAF are meticulously traced and allocated across the supply chain—from Cosmo Energy, the producer, to DHL, the airline operator, and ultimately to the customers utilising DHL’s emission-reduced transport services.

The book-and-claim model allows GoGreen Plus subscribers worldwide to benefit from SAF, no matter its source or the aircraft it fuels.


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