Kuehne+Nagel and Hapag-Lloyd are further strengthening their long-standing partnership and, for the first time, collaborating on emission-reduced ocean transport solutions. As part of this agreement, Kuehne+Nagel will utilize Hapag-Lloyd’s “Ship Green” product to reduce the carbon footprint of its ocean freight shipments.

The agreement marks an important milestone in the relationship between the two companies.  For the period from April to December 2026, approximately 3,300 TEU of cargo transported on the East Asia to North Europe trade lane will be covered under the agreement. Through the use of certified waste- and residue-based biofuels (SMF), the initiative is expected to avoid around 2,979 tonnes of CO₂e emissions on a well-to-wake basis.

“We are proud to take our partnership with Kuehne+Nagel to the next level,” said Danny Smolders, Managing Director Global Sales at Hapag-Lloyd. “With Ship Green, we offer a scalable solution that enables our customers to actively reduce their Scope 3 emissions today. This agreement shows how strong partnerships can translate into tangible climate impact.”

Paolo Montrone, Head of Trade Global Sea Logistics at Kuehne+Nagel, added: “Decarbonizing shipping requires transparency, collaboration and commercially viable solutions. By having strong partnerships, making emissions data transparent, and enabling scope 3 reductions, we help customers navigate in a credible, market-based way, designed to accelerate the uptake of alternative fuels. We are pleased to extend our collaboration with Hapag-Lloyd to make this come true.”

The agreement is based on a book-and-claim chain-of-custody mechanism that allows customers to claim verified emission reductions, regardless of the physical fuel allocation to specific vessels or routes. Only emissions reductions from biofuel that has been used in Hapag-Lloyd's operated fleet is allocated to Kuehne+Nagel. This model enables scalable climate action, utilizing waste based biofuel as a bridge solution.

Both companies are committed to ambitious climate goals. Hapag-Lloyd aims to achieve net-zero fleet operations by 2045, while Kuehne+Nagel has committed to reaching net-zero emissions across the value chain by 2050. Offering sustainable logistic solutions to customers is a key lever to achieve these goals.

By working together and leveraging sustainable marine fuels and the book and claim approach, Kuehne+Nagel and Hapag-Lloyd are contributing to the shipping industry’s transition toward a more sustainable future and energy independence.

Kuehne+Nagel, one of the world’s leading logistics providers, and Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS), Switzerland’s premium airline, are strengthening their strategic partnership to drive more sustainable aviation. With the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding, both companies will collaborate on sustainability projects, with a particular focus on innovative technologies to improve efficiency and reduce environmental impact.

The partnership centres on a shared commitment to sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) produced by Synhelion, a Swiss cleantech pioneer that converts sunlight into renewable synthetic fuels like solar jet fuel. To support scaling this technology, Kuehne+Nagel, SWISS, and its air freight division Swiss WorldCargo, have agreed on a long-term offtake agreement of SAF that provides Synhelion with planning security and drives innovation in the sector. This commitment provides producers such as Synhelion with the certainty needed to expand their output and advance new technologies.

Starting in 2027, Kuehne+Nagel will purchase Synhelion SAF from SWISS under a five-year agreement for its cargo shipments by Swiss WorldCargo. This reinforces its commitment to decarbonising logistics and offers customers the opportunity to reduce their CO₂ footprint.

“To meet the aviation industry’s climate targets, we must scale the production of synthetic SAF. At Kuehne+Nagel, we are taking the lead by partnering with SWISS and Synhelion to accelerate these technologies, making them economically viable,” explains Yngve Ruud, Member of the Management Board responsible for Air Logistics. “With it, we can offer our customers the opportunity to reduce their environmental footprint with this innovative technology.”

“Sustainable aviation fuels are a key building block for making air travel more sustainable. They remain scarce and costly—which is exactly why we need strong partners,” says SWISS CEO Jens Fehlinger. “We are pleased to be working with Kuehne+Nagel to implement the first commercial offtake of Synhelion’s fuel. This marks an important step forward and sends a clear signal that we intend to actively shape this path.”

To lead the way to a more sustainable future, Kuehne+Nagel announces the launch of its carrier engagement sustainability programme. As part of the programme, Kuehne+Nagel has signed individual Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) agreements with fourteen global airline carriers to advance sustainability initiatives and innovations around the world. This first-of-its-kind collaboration in the air logistics industry aims to reduce the environmental impact of airfreight transportation for customers. 

Kuehne+Nagel has signed individual MoUs with American Airlines, Air Canada, Air France Cargo and KLM Cargo, Atlas Air, Azul, Cargolux, Cathay Cargo, Delta Air Lines, LATAM Airlines Group S.A., Lufthansa Cargo, Swiss International Air Lines, Turkish Airlines, and United Airlines. 

By signing individual MOUs with airlines on four continents, Kuehne+Nagel is expanding its geographical reach for sustainability collaboration. The collaboration will focus on several key areas to achieve its sustainability goals: 

• Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) use and decarbonisation: Sourcing and promoting the use of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) as well as other optimisation measures to reduce the carbon footprint. SAF, which is derived from renewable resources, can reduce lifecycle CO2 emissions by an average of 80% compared to conventional jet fuel. 
• Transparency and impact tracking: Regular exchanges of data and information between Kuehne+Nagel and each airline to improve the understanding and quality of emissions, track the progress of reductions, and track the impact of the carrier engagement programme overall beyond carbon emissions. 
• Holistic sustainability approach: Expanding efforts to address broader sustainability challenges. 

Fabiano Piccinno, Air Logistics Global Head of Sustainability at Kuehne+Nagel, comments: “As an asset-light company, it is crucial for us to collaborate with our carriers to reach our ambitious science-based targets while also sending a clear signal. The signing of these MoUs represents a milestone for the industry and marks our joint commitment to supporting a sustainable future. We are very excited about the new initiatives that will emerge out of this, ultimately, benefiting our customers.” 

The current individually signed MoUs are with carriers that cover approximately 50% of Kuehne+Nagel’s emissions from air freight (based on emissions for full year 2024). The company aims to continue expanding its carrier sustainability engagement with major carrier partners to increase the amount of emissions covered.

A mission with a societal purpose 

For over 30 years, Nutriset has been at the forefront of the effort against malnutrition, delivering innovative and accessible nutritional solutions to vulnerable populations around the globe, with a strong focus on Africa and the Middle East. “Our mission goes beyond the products we create. Every step in our supply chain must reflect our values of social and environmental responsibility,” says Raphael Quesnel, Logistics Manager at Nutriset.

A partner for sustainability and resilience 

To address Nutriset’s logistics challenges, Kuehne+Nagel has developed a solution to enhance delivery reliability while reducing environmental impact. “We chose Kuehne+Nagel for their expertise in low-carbon logistics solutions and their ability to ensure the resilience of our operations, which are vital to our mission of ending malnutrition globally,” adds Raphael. 

A prime example of this partnership is the implementation of a dedicated daily shuttle between Nutriset’s production facility near Rouen and its hub in Le Havre, France. Powered entirely by Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO), a more sustainable alternative to diesel, this solution has allowed to reduce Nutriset's CO2e emissions by 83%* while maintaining smooth supply chain operations. 

Measurable results with tangible impact

In just five months, this initiative has successfully cut 77 tons* of CO2e emissions, underscoring Nutriset’s commitment to a more sustainable supply chain. “For us, it’s not just about numbers. Every tonne of CO2e saved reflects our dedication to creating a positive impact for both the communities we serve and the planet,” emphasises Raphael Quesnel. 

ESG in action 

This collaboration demonstrates how Nutriset and Kuehne+Nagel are tackling both environmental and societal challenges together.  

 By incorporating low-carbon solutions into their operations, they demonstrate how resilience and sustainability can work together to support humanitarian causes.  “This partnership is about more than logistics. It represents our shared commitment to building a future where sustainability and social responsibility work hand in hand,” concludes Raphael.

Looking ahead: a sustainable future 

Nutriset and Kuehne+Nagel are committed to continuing their collaboration, exploring new ways to further reduce their environmental footprint.

*this refers to the calculation coming from Nutriset CO2e emissions over a period of 5 months.

As part of their strategy, Interface prioritises direct carbon reduction and storage over offsets. The company is actively exploring and investing in innovative R&D projects to avoid, reduce, and store more carbon throughout its entire operation, aiming to achieve its ambitious climate goals. They developed a process where floor tiles are collected, cleaned, and reused after years of use. “Recycling runs like a thread through the production process. “With our climate take back mission, we raise the bar even higher”, says Bas. “We are committed to creating more climate-positive impacts through our sustainable product portfolio, and the development of carbon-negative products.”

Interface did not just talk the talk; they walked it, with big strides which earned them numerous awards in the ESG category. They expect this commitment to sustainability also from their partners. “Kuehne+Nagel’s commitment to environmental responsibility is not a promise on paper, it's in their DNA”, says Bas.

Kuehne+Nagel emerges as the right partner

“You can't be sustainable on your own, it takes the entire supply chain. How do you ensure that this sustainable vision is reflected in the supply chain? Interface produces worldwide and delivers to customers in Europe, Asia and America. With so many carriers and links in the process, it is difficult to optimise and get full clarity on the environmental impact of your transport operations”, says Bas. So, the company launched a tender to find a solid support in this matter with a clear focus: sustainability first, service second and then cost. “The partner we looked for has to understand logistics and at the same time share our decarbonisation goals. This is how we chose Kuehne+Nagel.”

Gaining more insights

It soon proved to be the perfect match. The key to joint success? “During working sessions, our entire logistics scheme was mapped out, giving us insight into Kuehne+Nagel's order management and sea transport solutions. In turn, we were able to translate what we needed in it. This creates a collaboration in which everyone reaps the benefits”, says Bas. One of the biggest improvements was gaining insight. Thanks to advanced track-and-trace features, Interface can now see exactly where a shipment is, when it will arrive and if there are any delays. 
Bas: “We used to grope around in the dark. Now we use live data to act proactively towards our customers. The work has become much easier.”

A true partnership

Raymond Bokhoven, National Manager International Supply Chain at Kuehne+Nagel and the Sea Logistics team have been at the table in discussions with Interface since the beginning. How does he view this cooperation? “I think we have established a true partnership in which both parties can excel. In addition, there is simply a click, we put the customer first and trust each other. That also means we stay keen on each other and keep looking at areas for development and improvement.”

Kuehne+Nagel, in partnership with Azul Linhas Aéreas, is transforming the reality of Amazonian riverside communities through an initiative that connects small producers and cooperatives to consumer markets in Brazil and abroad. This action is part of a joint commitment to sustainable development and environmental preservation, aligned with both companies' ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) agendas.

The collaboration is part of the ARA Movement – All Amazons Under the Same Blue Sky, an initiative by Azul that brings the company closer to local cooperatives and businesses to stimulate ventures contributing to the region's socio-bioeconomy. The company provides support so that these entrepreneurs can transport their products sustainably, offering discounts of up to 80% on freight. Through Azul Cargo Express, Azul's logistics business unit, the company connects these local producers to over 5,000 municipalities, enabling them to participate in events and sell their products in urban centres. Kuehne+Nagel, in turn, contributes its logistics expertise, assisting with access to both national and international markets.

“For us, joining forces with Azul in this project is an opportunity to connect our logistics expertise with a cause of profound social impact. This collaboration reinforces our commitment to the 'Living ESG' pillar, further strengthening our goal of being the most reliable supply chain partner and contributing to a more sustainable future,” says Adriana Martins, President of Kuehne+Nagel in Brazil.

The companies held a workshop for a group of entrepreneurs at UniAzul, located in Campinas. During the event, small producers received training on the procedures for domestic transportation of goods as well as on becoming exporters, with Kuehne+Nagel providing support at all stages, from licensing to identifying market opportunities. This training is essential for producers who create crafts, grow organic food, and produce other items derived from Amazonian biodiversity to expand their businesses while ensuring environmental preservation.

“Ensuring that Amazon products reach new markets with quality and sustainability is a significant step in strengthening these communities. This partnership expands the impact of the ARA Movement by adding knowledge and logistical support to the other solutions we already offer,” says Filipe Alvarez, Sustainability Manager at Azul.

Kuehne+Nagel, the Elite Group, and a subsidiary of LATAM Group reached another joint agreement to reduce emissions associated with the air freight of flowers for Mother's Day. Together, the three companies procured 34,615 litres of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), to transport more than 1.6 million flower stems for this year's peak season. The amount of SAF used on these flights helped to reduce around 55 tonnes of CO2 emissions.

Kuehne+Nagel has made reducing emissions in the logistics industry a central element of its strategic Roadmap 2026 and Vision 2030. Yngve Ruud, Executive Vice President Air Logistics at Kuehne+Nagel, comments: “It is crucial to drive actions in the industry that emphasise the importance of establishing a sustainability strategy. Based on long-term collaboration, the impacts of the initiatives developed increase over time. The decarbonisation challenges faced by logistics companies are ambitious, and the only way to achieve them is by leading the conversation and actions around the ESG agenda at a global level”.

Andrés Bianchi, CEO of LATAM Group subsidiaries, mentioned: “This alliance deepens the LATAM group's commitment and efforts against climate change, with which we challenge ourselves to achieve net zero emissions by 2050. Collaboration between the different actors in this industry is essential to advance at the pace necessary to achieve our goals. We hope that examples like this will help to generate more solutions that contribute to decarbonisation and encourage the development of this type of fuel in South America where there is great potential.”

For Elite Group, a well-known group of companies in the flower industry, “this initiative aligns perfectly with our broader environmental, social, and governance (ESG) objectives, underscoring our goal of net zero emissions while maintaining a positive impact on the environment and the communities in which we operate. Adopting SAF protects our environment and enhances the reputation of air transport, ensuring the longevity of numerous jobs throughout our supply chain. As a leader in our industry, we remain steadfast in our mission to unite innovation with responsibility, driving progress while upholding our commitment to the planet and our global community”, adds Galo Sánchez, Executive Vice President at Elite Group.

The SAF was produced from used cooking oil, which, after being treated, is mixed with traditional jet fuel. One of the particularities of SAF, is that it helps to reduce on average, 80% of the carbon footprint when compared to conventional fuel.

In the current context of limited SAF production worldwide, these collaborative agreements are of the most significant relevance. This is the second collaboration between cargo subsidiaries of LATAM group, Elite Group, and Kuehne+Nagel in less than 12 months in reducing the carbon footprint of their joint operations as part of a long-term sustainability agenda. 

The Sustainable Engine Alliance is a partnership aimed at setting new industry standards for low-carbon aircraft engine supply chains. Since its inception in April 2023, the alliance has collaborated on projects to increase transparency of emissions data in the supply chain – and the deployment of Sustainable Aviation Fuel.

Andreas Nyman, VP Global Head of Aerospace, Air Logistics comments: “We are proud to receive this award together with our valuable partners Atlas Air and SR Technics. We see this recognition as a testament to our joint commitment to sustainability and our desire to push the envelope in the realm of innovative sustainable logistics solutions.”

Pictured (Left to right): 
Jonathan Swetnam, Senior Director Powerplants, Atlas Air
Caroline Vandedrinck, SVP Business Development SR Technics
Andreas Nyman,  Global Head of Aerospace, Kuehne+Nagel

VinLog Powered by Kuehne+Nagel proudly receives the esteemed ‘Green Logistics Supply Chain Initiative Award’, a category of the Drinks Business Green Awards 2023.

The Drinks Business presented this award to the VinLog team in recognition of its efforts in significantly reducing its impact on the environment by electrifying its fleet of trucks in 2023.   

”This electrification initiative perfectly aligns with the 'Living ESG' cornerstone of the Kuehne+Nagel Roadmap 2026 and reflects our resolute ambition to be a forerunner in sustainable logistics. With this goal, VinLog procured 23 electric trucks, specifically allocated for the transportation of sensitive goods from the wine warehouses in Bordeaux, France. This initiative embodies our commitment to sustainability, innovation, and a more sustainable future for the logistics industry.” says Horst Mueller, Global Head of VinLog.  

The new year starts with electrifying news as Kuehne+Nagel announces its Book & Claim insetting solution for electric vehicles. This makes Kuehne+Nagel the first logistics service provider to launch this solution, which previously was limited to low-emission fuels. Implementing decarbonisation solutions and helping customers achieve their sustainability goals is a key component of Kuehne+Nagel’s Roadmap 2026 Living ESG cornerstone. 

Developing Book & Claim insetting solutions for road freight was a strategic priority for Kuehne+Nagel. Last October, it launched an insetting solution for HVO—now followed by electric vehicles. The first-of-its-kind solution has been tested and validated in cooperation with leading external stakeholders.  

Customers who use Kuehne+Nagel's road transport services can now ‘claim’ the carbon reductions of electric trucks when it is not possible to physically move their goods on these vehicles. Reasons for that could be insufficient charging infrastructure or a limited driving range and payload. The solution helps to bridge those challenges which today still limit the deployment of electric trucks.  

 “We see battery-Electric Vehicles (BEVs) as the future to reduce emissions in road freight. Carbon insetting supports the scale-up of low-emission solutions like BEVs and helps to reduce the premium that customers pay for these solutions, thereby supporting the decarbonisation of road transport,” says Hansjörg Rodi, Member of the Management Board at Kuehne+Nagel International AG, responsible for Road Logistics.

For now, only Kuehne+Nagel’s owned BEVs are part of the Book & Claim offer to keep full control and transparency over the accuracy of the data that is used in the calculations. However, the team aims to expand the solution to BEVs operated by its partners so that it can support them in their fleet electrification journeys too. “Purchasing electric trucks can be a heavy financial burden, especially for smaller carriers. Including carriers in our solution requires further complex developments in the accounting methodology, but it would help them to finance their transition. This is our next priority,” concludes Rodi. 

On November 28, 2023, the world's first 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) transatlantic flight by a commercial airline successfully landed at New York JFK after its departure from London Heathrow. Kuehne+Nagel, a leader in sustainable logistics, actively engages in projects that encourage and promote the use of sustainable fuels within the logistics sector. As part of its efforts, Kuehne+Nagel secured the available cargo space on this SAF-powered flight and utilised the corresponding amount of SAF for the transported goods.

Yngve Ruud, Member of the Management Board of Kuehne+Nagel responsible for Air Logistics comments: “This is a historic moment in our collective journey towards sustainable aviation and we are very proud to represent the air cargo industry on the world's first 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel transatlantic flight by a commercial airline. It is an honour to support this Virgin Atlantic led consortium, pushing the boundaries of decarbonisation in aviation.”

Kuehne+Nagel is committed to the science-based targets to decarbonise the logistics sector and drive the change towards a zero-carbon future. This flight represents the next step in sustainable aviation by demonstrating the potential of using SAF as a 100% drop-in replacement for fossil fuel.

The Virgin Atlantic led consortium, joint funded by the UK Department for Transport, includes Rolls Royce, Boeing, University of Sheffield, Imperial College London, and Rocky Mountain Institute.

The SAF used to power the two Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engines on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner is produced by Hydroprocessed Esters and Fatty Acids (HEFA) and Synthetic Aromatic Kerosine (SAK) at an 88% HEFA and 12% SAK blend ratio.

Kuehne+Nagel France has inaugurated a new air logistics hub at the heart of Cargo City at the Paris Charles de Gaulle airport. With this new location at one of Europe’s best-connected airports, Kuehne+Nagel increases global air freight capacities and strengthens its healthcare logistics solutions in the region.

The hub has a capacity to handle 300 air freight pallets a week. Its processing surface is 2.5 times larger than the previous space and has direct access to runways. With over 320 destinations worldwide and a TAPA-FSR A security certification, the new air logistics hub facilitates access to new markets in high-tech, luxury, aerospace, industrial and automotive.

Kuehne+Nagel continues to increase its healthcare cargo capacities in Paris by dedicating 4,500 m² to cold rooms and temperature-controlled zones. The healthcare area is GDP and CEIV-compliant as part of Kuehne+Nagel’s HealthChain certification, ensuring optimal conditions for storing and transporting sensitive goods. The hub also focuses on R&D and personalised medicine, supported by QuickSTAT, a Kuehne+Nagel company with expertise in personalised supply chain planning.

The new hub has been awarded with BREEAM Excellent certification, attesting to its energy efficiency and reduced carbon footprint. In addition, the hub is equipped with 1,332 photovoltaic solar panels placed on the roof, saving approximately 26.4 tons of CO2 per year.

Heiko Schuhmacher, Regional Head of Air Logistics Europe, commented: “The inauguration of the new hub, located at one of Europe’s best-connected airports, reinforces Kuehne+Nagel's leading position in air logistics and strong ambition on our healthcare focus, as part of our Roadmap 2026.”

Kuehne+Nagel has launched a Book & Claim insetting solution for road logistics customers who purchase Hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) to reduce transport emissions. The solution complements the already existing offer in Sea and Air Logistics, with maritime biofuels and SAF, respectively. A comprehensive Book & Claim offer will support Kuehne+Nagel’s science-based targets and accelerate the reduction of emissions in the logistics industry.

For the development of a Book & Claim offer for HVO, Kuehne+Nagel cooperated with several external stakeholders to test and validate the scientific and methodological robustness of the concept. The expertise built through the offer in Sea and Air Logistics, provided a strong basis for the project.

“Extending our offer of low-emission solutions for our customers is a key focus of our Roadmap 2026’s Living ESG cornerstone. Customers purchasing HVO can now reduce carbon emissions in their value chains. This will increase the demand and therewith the supply of low-emission technologies, to accelerate the decarbonisation of road logistics,” says Hansjörg Rodi, Board Member for Road Logistics at Kuehne+Nagel.

In a first stage, Book & Claim for HVO will be available for customers in Europe, with expansion plans beyond Europe in 2024. Moreover, the team is working on the integration of electric vehicles in the solution. “To decarbonise road logistics, we see HVO only as a bridging solution with battery-electric vehicles as our focus in the future. We expect this to be ready by the end of 2023,” Rodi concludes.

COP28 has appointed Kuehne+Nagel as the official logistics partner at the global 2023 UN Climate Change Conference in Dubai. From November 30 until December 12, the event is expected to convene over 70,000 accredited visitors to the restricted Blue Zone and 50,000 daily visitors to the public Green Zone. The appointment underpins Kuehne+Nagel’s capabilities in expo and events logistics, as well as its commitment to its science-based emission reduction targets and efforts to decarbonise logistics.

At Expo City Dubai, Kuehne+Nagel will be the sole ground handler responsible for steering all logistics activities on-site, like building country pavilions and stages for panel discussions. In addition, the team will support participants in their end-to-end and local logistics needs, from international freight forwarding, customs clearance and warehousing, to venue delivery—all supported by Kuehne+Nagel's global network of experts and its portfolio of low-emission solutions.

Damian Raczynski, National Manager UAE and Oman at Kuehne+Nagel: „We are proud to have been appointed for this important conference. Kuehne+Nagel is well-known in the events and exhibition space in Europe, and this appointment underpins our efforts to further develop this segment in the Middle East—an area with great infrastructure to accommodate this industry.”

Sustainable logistics solutions and SBTi

Kuehne+Nagel’s appointment by COP28 can not only be credited to its logistics expertise, but also to its ambitions to decarbonise the logistics sector. Kuehne+Nagel has committed to the Science-Based Target initiative (SBTi) and has taken major steps to make low-emission transport solutions available for its customers. Cooperation with customers, carriers, international organisations, and other stakeholders is part of Kuehne+Nagel’s strategy to drive meaningful change.

Sarah Kreienbühl, Member of the Management Board, responsible for Human Resources and ESG at Kuehne+Nagel International AG: „Our current focus is on making low-emission fuels more widely available in the market. However, our industry needs to unlock new technologies to have more and better solutions. This is a challenge for which all actors across societies and industries need to work together. That is why the yearly Conference of the Parties is so important, alongside other forums and coalitions that bring actors together to address climate change.”

En el marco de las celebraciones del Día de la Madre, Kuehne+Nagel, LATAM Cargo y Elite Group se unieron para comprar más de 25.000 litros de Combustible Sostenible de Aviación (SAF). La cantidad adquirida permitiría reducir el equivalente al total de las emisiones generadas por un vuelo carguero en la ruta Bogotá- Miami, período en que se transportó un gran cargamento de flores, en su mayoría rosas.

El SAF es un combustible que proviene de materias primas alternativas como residuos, grasas y aceites, entre otros. Al utilizarlo en un vuelo, es mezclado junto con el de tipo convencional para producir una operación con menores niveles de CO2.

En este caso, el Combustible Sostenible de Aviación adquirido fue producido a partir de aceite de cocina usado, materia que luego de ser tratada, es mezclada con combustible jet fuel tradicional. Teniendo en cuenta que el SAF cuenta con un factor de reducción atribuido de alrededor del 80% del CO2 en su ciclo de vida en comparación al convencional, las compañías compraron una cantidad necesaria que permitiría la reducción equivalente al total de las emisiones generadas por un vuelo en la ruta anunciada.

Para Kuehne+Nagel, esto representó un hito en su meta por desarrollar soluciones tangibles para todo tipo de clientes e industrias, con el objetivo de reducir las emisiones de CO2 en las cadenas de suministro y su impacto medioambiental. En esta línea, Ingo Goldhammer, presidente de Kuehne+Nagel para América del Sur y Central, comenta: “No cabe duda de que el cambio climático es uno de los mayores retos a los que nos enfrentamos. En Kuehne+Nagel lo sabemos y, como sector, tenemos que acelerar el camino para limitar el calentamiento global. Esta alianza que hemos logrado junto a Elite Group y LATAM Cargo, refleja que la colaboración entre empresas es el mejor camino para llevar a cabo acciones concretas, cada uno aportando desde su experiencia y sus conocimientos especializados para colaborar bajo una meta común, que nos mueve a todos”.

Por su parte, el CEO de LATAM Cargo, Andres Bianchi, enfatiza que “Esta iniciativa marca otro hito más para el grupo LATAM en nuestros esfuerzos contra el cambio climático. Queremos hacer un aporte significativo al desarrollo sostenible de la región y, para ello, nos hemos comprometido, entre otras cosas, a ser carbono neutral en 2050. Esta compra está alineada con eso ya que nos permite seguir avanzando en nuestra agenda de SAF, siendo además, un reflejo de la importancia que tiene la colaboración a lo largo de toda la cadena logística para conseguir grandes cambios. En esa línea, esperamos que ejemplos como este ayuden a capitalizar el potencial de Sudamérica en la generación SAF”.

Elite Group, reconocido grupo del mundo floral, agrega “La sustentabilidad se encuentra en el centro de nuestros valores en Elite Group y en cada una de nuestras unidades de negocios. Es así que entendemos la urgencia de abordar los desafíos ambientales que plantea el flete aéreo para el transporte de flores desde Colombia y Ecuador a los Estados Unidos, Canadá y partes de Europa. Nuestra incesante búsqueda de reducción de emisiones continúa, trabajando hacia nuestro objetivo de net zero. Al invertir directamente en SAF, estamos avanzando hacia la reducción de nuestras emisiones y contribuyendo a un mejor futuro para el medio ambiente. Esta iniciativa está alineada con nuestra estrategia de sostenibilidad más amplia, en la que exploramos soluciones innovadoras para lograr una cadena de suministro más sostenible” dice Galo Sanchez, Vicepresidente Ejecutivo:
 

Acorde a la IATA, actualmente el uso de SAF marca una gran diferencia en la descarbonización de la industria aérea. Sin embargo, las cantidades de este combustible disponibles a nivel mundial son limitadas, debido principalmente a la falta de condiciones necesarias para su investigación, desarrollo y producción. Por ello se hace necesario un trabajo colaborativo entre los distintos actores involucrados en la industria.

Compromiso con la sostenibilidad

En marzo, Kuehne+Nagel comunicó su nueva estrategia de negocio de cara a los próximos cuatro años y, para cumplir su meta, establecieron los siguientes pilares prioritarios: Experiencia Kuehne+Nagel, Ecosistema Digital, Potencial de Mercados y Living ESG. Este último con foco en desarrollar acciones concretas que contribuyan a disminuir el impacto ambiental, junto con trabajar a nivel social con las comunidades contando con el soporte de estructura de gobernanza consolidada. En su compromiso con descarbonizar la industria, la empresa ha logrado importantes acuerdos a nivel global para poder ofrecer SAF en los 100 países en donde opera.

Adicional a esto, Kuehne+Nagel cuenta con plataformas para sus clientes como myKN y SeaExplorer, capaces de proporcionar visibilidad sobre las emisiones de carbono de las operaciones, además de brindar reportería que busca medir, evitar y reducir la huella de carbono en torno a los procesos logísticos.

Por su parte, el grupo LATAM lanzó, en mayo de 2021, su renovada estrategia de sostenibilidad en la que estableció desafiantes metas: que el SAF represente el 5% de todo el consumo de combustible en sus operaciones a 2030, lograr la carbono neutralidad al 2050, eliminar los plásticos de un solo uso en 2023; y convertirse en un grupo cero residuos a relleno sanitario en 2027.

Today, at the MRO Americas 2023 conference in Atlanta, Georgia, Kuehne+Nagel, Atlas Air, Inc., a subsidiary of Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: AAWW), and SR Technics Group introduce the “Sustainable Engine Alliance”. Representing a wide range of the aerospace industry, the Alliance pledges to set new industry standards for low-carbon aircraft engine supply chains in line with the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi).

The alliance members aim to reduce their collective environmental impact through networks for sustainable engine supply chains and a portfolio of sustainable services. Some of the first joint initiatives carried out by the alliance include the deployment of sustainable fuels, engine stand management solutions and a global digital interface for emission transparency, reduction and avoidance. The initiative is expected to reduce engine supply chain related scope 3 emissions ahead of the aerospace 2050 sustainability targets.

Erik Goedhart, SVP Global Head of Aerospace at Kuehne+Nagel, comments: “Collaboration is key to industry-wide improvements in aerospace sustainability. With the “Sustainable Engine Alliance”, we will set new standards for responsible sourcing and engine transportation, while creating further awareness within the industry to minimise environmental impact of engine supply chains jointly. I am confident that together with Atlas Air and SR Technics we will pave the way for future sustainability efforts in aerospace. And we invite other value chain companies to join us”.

Jean-Marc Lenz, Chief Executive Officer at SR Technics states: “Sustainability is a strategic pillar of SR Technics’ organization and service portfolio. By extending the engine life cycle and delivering best-in-class on-wing performance, SR Technics contributes to the environmental impact of airline operations. We are very pleased to be joining with the leaders in this growing market, and we look forward to working with them to pilot this zero-emission journey together. With Kuehne+Nagel and Atlas Air, we have experienced partners on board who support our major cornerstone in our company development to sustainable growth in future.”

James Forbes, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Atlas Air Worldwide said: "We look forward to working with Kuehne+Nagel and SR Technics to accelerate decarbonization in our combined value chain. Through our partnership, we will be developing maintenance and supply chain best practices that will guide us well into the future and help us achieve our environmental stewardship goals.”

Kuehne+Nagel today published its seventh Sustainability Report, which covers ESG (Environment, Social, Governance) performance in 2022. The report also outlines the important role ESG plays in the implementation of the Group's recently unveiled strategy. Living ESG is one of the four cornerstones of Roadmap 2026.

As part of its commitment to the science-based targets, Kuehne+Nagel in 2022 further invested in maritime biofuels and sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) to reduce Scope 3 emissions. As of December 2022, the company purchased approximately 7% of the total production of SAF globally. With this, Kuehne+Nagel has supported customers such as the healthcare company Novo Nordisk and the technology company Lenovo in decarbonising their supply chains.

Kuehne+Nagel in 2022 also achieved the goal of 100% renewable electricity across all Contract Logistics warehouses worldwide. The company purchased renewable energy certificates for this purpose and increased on-site electricity production, e.g. with photovoltaic systems.

In road transportation, Kuehne+Nagel is increasingly shifting to electric vehicles (EV). Most recently, the French subsidiary acquired 23 distribution trucks for domestic groupage transportation services. The company intends to equip 60% of its own fleet with EVs by the end of 2030.

Additionally, Kuehne+Nagel has signed an agreement to purchase 10.500 hectares of timberland in the US Northeast. The aim is to preserve an economically and ecologically sustainable forest portfolio. Dr. Marc Pfeffer, Member of the Management Board of Kuehne+Nagel International AG, responsible for Governance, states: “The sustainable forest management with Salm-Schulenburg, Atlanta, will also include the generation of CO2 certificates to support Kuehne+Nagel’s ambition to compensate its own emissions in parallel with low carbon and reduction technologies going forward.”

Kuehne+Nagel is cooperating with The Conservation Fund to additionally limit the use and protect the timberland’s conservation purposes. The transaction is still subject to customary closing conditions.

Kuehne+Nagel France has received a delivery of 23 electric vehicles (EVs) that will be used for domestic groupage transportation services. For the occasion, the Managing Director of Renault Trucks France, Christophe Martin, has visited Kuehne+Nagel’s site in Villefranche sur Saône to ceremonially hand over the keys to Xavier Leger, National Road Logistics Director.

Kuehne+Nagel already piloted a number of EVs in the past years. As truck manufacturers are ramping up production, the company is committed to expand its EV footprint to reach its science-based targets. The company intends to equip 60% of its own fleet with EVs by the end of 2030.

Kuehne+Nagel France has a large domestic groupage network of 56 locations throughout the country, with many short and mid-range routes that can easily be serviced by EVs. On top, it also prepares the team for the upcoming legislation which prohibits polluting vehicles from entering French cities as of 2025, to improve air quality.

“For now, it is more efficient to use EVs for domestic routes instead of international routes because of their limited range and the lack of charging infrastructure on European highways,” says Xavier Leger. Until the required infrastructural changes happen for long distances, Kuehne+Nagel uses hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) as a bridging technology to already reduce road transportation carbon emissions.

Kuehne+Nagel has expanded its partnership with Vestas, a global leader in renewable energy solutions from Denmark, by adding 60,000 sqm to its existing fulfilment center in Hodenhagen, Germany. From 2023 onwards, each year around 135,000 different items will be stored in the spare parts centre.

Spare parts orders for wind turbines are characterised by a high degree of complexity. The items range from small parts, such as electronic components, which are stored in a picktower, to hazardous goods, such as batteries, paints or lubricants, to large parts for workshop operations.

The range of services include storage, packing and load consolidation to order picking for outgoing orders and their dispatch, including customs clearance, all over the world and covering also direct deliveries to the wind turbines. Vestas connects its buyers and sellers of renewable energy parts and services via Convento, a digital business-to-business e-commerce marketplace. All orders on the Convento platform are served from the fulfilment centre in Hodenhagen.

The extension of the warehouse also meets the latest standards in terms of energy efficiency. This includes for example a roof-mounted solar system, LED lighting with motion sensors and charging stations for electrical vehicles.

Gianfranco Sgro, member of the Management Board of Kuehne Nagel International AG, responsible for Contract Logistics, says: "The cooperation between Vestas and Kuehne+Nagel points the way to a sustainable future. Our focus is to stand by Vestas and its end customers, to support the lifecycle of every wind turbine with the spare part it needs worldwide. We are proud to support Vestas in accelerating the global energy transition.”

“We are very excited to further build on our relationship with Kuehne+Nagel as a dedicated logistics partner managing our global warehouse in Hodenhagen. The expansion of the warehouse facility will set us up for the future growth that lies ahead and will ensure a scalable foundation for providing sustainable energy across the globe”, says Morten Schockert Nielsen, Director, Head of Global Logistics, Service Supply Chain at Vestas.

Novo Nordisk, one of the leading healthcare companies in the world, partners with Kuehne+Nagel to drive the development of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). This will be a step towards meeting the ambitious Novo Nordisk target to reach zero CO2 emissions from operations and transport by 2030. With the deployment of 12 million litres of SAF, Novo Nordisk will be able to replace fossil fuel for all Kuehne+Nagel air freight shipments in 2022.

Having set ambitious carbon reduction targets, Kuehne+Nagel actively supports customers with their transition to a low carbon business model by providing various solutions for reducing or avoiding carbon emissions. As one of the key activities, Kuehne+Nagel continues to invest into the adoption of alternative aviation fuels and expand its offering. Novo Nordisk chose the Kuehne+Nagel sustainable fuel solution to reduce the environmental footprint of their air freight shipments in 2022. Use of 12 million litres of Kuehne+Nagel SAF for all Novo Nordisk air freight avoids direct emission of around 30,000 tonnes of CO2.

Such commitment underlines a growing demand for low carbon shipping options, leading to an increase in the production, development and deployment of SAF. In this effort, Kuehne+Nagel has been actively raising awareness across the industry by promoting the importance of sustainable fuels as the most effective measure to reduce the environmental footprint of air freight.

Yngve Ruud, Member of the Management Board of Kuehne+Nagel responsible for Air Logistics, comments: “Novo Nordisk is not only leading the way in driving change to defeat diabetes and other serious chronic diseases, but also in their shipping by using sustainable options. I am pleased that with our global SAF solutions, customers can easily switch to low carbon air transport. It’s another step on the way to the “zero impact” goal and yet another signal for more sustainable fuel production and use globally.”

Dorethe Nielsen, Vice President of Corporate Environmental Strategy at Novo Nordisk comments: “This is yet another step in Novo Nordisk’s continuous support of the development of sustainable aviation fuel. Our air freight accounts for most of our product distribution emissions as we provide life-saving medicines to patients around the world. We want to drive change in this area to help pave the way for other companies to also transition and cut emissions.”

By joining the Science Based Targets initiative, Kuehne+Nagel has set ambitious environmental goals in transitioning to a low carbon business model. This is is done by reducing the company’s own carbon emissions and supporting its customers with their transition. 

Learn more about sustainable fuels here.

Kuehne+Nagel has secured the equivalent volumes of a waste-based next generation biofuel to save CO2e emissions of 40,000 TEUs. In line with the company's zero emissions targets, customers can participate to neutralise the CO2e emissions from their own shipments on any trade or service worldwide.

The Kuehne+Nagel biofuel concept is based on next generation biofuels according to RED II* and allocates fully traceable contingents of biofuel to the customers’ cargo. Biofuel is currently the most effective measure to transport goods at zero CO2e emissions in container shipping. In contrast to fossil fuels, which are an exhaustible resource and release additional CO2e emissions, next generation biofuels are produced from renewable feedstocks only and have a circular carbon lifecycle aimed at re-using waste or biomass. Kuehne+Nagel guarantees its customers a 100 per cent avoidance of greenhouse gases (CO2e) in sea transport, as the biofuel's production emissions and lower density compared to conventional fuels are overcompensated. 

Otto Schacht, Member of the Management Board, Kuehne + Nagel International AG, responsible for Sea Logistics, comments: "Kuehne+Nagel is committed to saving the emissions of 40,000 TEU through the use of biofuel. We have secured this as the first of several high-volume options to offer our customers easy access to direct CO2e emissions free transport. We would like to encourage our customers to join us on the path to a zero carbon future."

By joining the Science Based Targets initiative, Kuehne+Nagel has set ambitious environmental goals for the transition to a zero carbon business model by reducing the company’s own carbon emissions and supporting its customers with their transition. To reduce transport emissions and meet growing customer demand for green logistics, Kuehne+Nagel is proactively expanding its sustainable service portfolio with innovative and easily customisable shipping options. In this effort, the company is investing in low-carbon fuels and renewable energy, as well as verified CO2 reporting. The company's digital platform seaexplorer also enables the identification of sea freight routes with lower CO2 emissions.

* The EU Renewable Energy Directive (RED II) defines a set of sustainability and greenhouse gas emission criteria that biofluids used in transport must meet.

Kuehne+Nagel partnered with SailGP to reduce shipping carbon emissions by leveraging biofuels.  As Official Logistics Partner for the global sailing league, Kuehne+Nagel is responsible for transporting all SailGP’s event infrastructure to its global racing destinations in the most sustainable ways possible.

For the final events of Season 2, Kuehne+Nagel shipped SailGP’s freight over 30,000km from Cadiz to Sydney to San Francisco using biofuels to reduce the overall carbon emissions - avoiding approximately 342 tonnes of CO2.

This follows Kuehne+Nagel using HVO (Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil) - a low carbon alternative to diesel made from recycled organic waste - for the 4,000km transport across mainland Europe for the previous event at Aarhus, St Tropez and then to Cádiz. This reduced emissions by 90%.

The shared goal to minimise the environmental impact of logistics transport sees Kuehne+Nagel and SailGP partner to reduce the carbon footprint of the sail racing league's transport. 

Brian Cox, Managing Director UK, Kuehne+Nagel comments, “It’s fantastic working with a partner that’s so committed to exploring alternative, more sustainable fuels. SailGP is not just achieving its own goals; it’s setting an example for others to follow.”

Fiona Morgan, Director of Impact and Purpose, SailGP said: “We’re very excited to be exploring more environmentally-friendly fuel alternatives. At SailGP we believe we have a duty to innovate and find new sustainable ways to change the way global sport operates but we cannot do this alone, so partners like Kuehne+Nagel are vital to deliver our ambition to reduce our carbon emission by 55% by 2025.”

Kuehne+Nagel, the global logistics company, today announced the launch of the electric vehicle service for airport transfers in Mumbai, India. With this service, Kuehne+Nagel aims to switch to electric vehicles in a phased manner to reduce its carbon footprint and progress towards a sustainable future and Greener India. 

The Indian-made electric vehicle “Mahindra Treo Zor” will shuttle air cargo between Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport and Kuehne+Nagel’s Mumbai Airport warehouse. The use of the EVs is expected to result in a reduction of 24.7 tonnes vehicular CO2 emissions each year, thus reducing the company's overall carbon footprint.

Marcel Fujike, SVP, Global Head Products & Services Air Logistics at Kuehne+Nagel, says: “As an environmentally and socially responsible organisation, Kuehne+Nagel is proud to use EVs in India for its airport transfers to offer green logistics solutions and reduce carbon emissions. Our customers have benefited from the global availability of SAF (Sustainable Aviation Fuel) since last year, and we continue to develop sustainable solutions for a fully carbon neutral transport journey. The introduction of EV airport transfer is the next phase in our transition to low-carbon, door-to-door air transportation, with more sustainable services to follow.”

“Today the transportation of goods is a major contributor to carbon emissions. Fully electric vehicles have zero tailpipe emissions, but even when electricity production is taken into account, petrol or diesel vehicles emit almost three times more carbon dioxide than the average EV. Using EVs will not only reduce carbon footprint but will also offer substantial operating cost savings over comparable, conventional, gasoline-fueled vehicles, allowing us to contribute significantly to the sustainability cause”, adds Coen Van Der Maarel, Managing Director - India, Sri Lanka and Maldives, Kuehne+Nagel.

Kuehne+Nagel’s initiative of introducing electric vehicles in India is aligned with the company’s global sustainability goals. The company is taking several initiatives globally to create a sustainable future and reduce its environmental footprint.

One of Thailand’s leading supermarket retailers, Lotus’s, has partnered with logistics provider Kuehne+Nagel Thailand to become the first supermarket retailer in the country to use electric vehicles (EVs) in their distribution operations for bakery delivery. Through this partnership, the two companies will mark a first for the retail industry in Thailand, and pave the way towards greater sustainability for the nation.  

The first stage of the bakery distributions using EVs has been rolled out recently in Bangkok, with further plans to increase the number of vehicles and cities to 5 Bangkok routes and 21 regional routes in the coming months. Prior, Lotus’s distributions used standard diesel vans. The replacement of these vans with EVs is expected to result in a reduction of 24.7 tonnes of CO2 emissions per truck each year, greatly reducing the company’s overall carbon footprint.

“Lotus’s is committed to ensuring its operations are sustainable, and we are delighted to work with Kuehne+Nagel Thailand to achieve this milestone and towards Charoen Pokphand Group’s ambition to become a net zero organisation by 2030. As one of the leading supermarket retailers in Thailand, we hope the positive impact we are making will inspire other companies to follow suit,” said Mr. Ekachai Phoosanabhongs, Distribution Director, Lotus’s Thailand.

Bjoern Schoon, Managing Director for Kuehne+Nagel Thailand says: “We are proud to be a part of this initiative, and help pave the way for more similar projects in Thailand and around the world. The EV project is a key development in making logistics more sustainable, and Kuehne+Nagel is committed to helping customers achieve their sustainability goals.”

Kuehne+Nagel y LATAM Airlines Group, en el marco de sus compromisos con el medioambiente y de sus respectivas estrategias de sostenibilidad, anunciaron la compensación del 100% de los embarques de flores que realizaron juntos durante la reciente temporada del Día de la Madre, donde se transportaron miles de toneladas desde Colombia y Ecuador hacia Norteamérica y Europa. Esto, a través de recursos destinados hacia proyectos que apoyen el cuidado del medio ambiente y que contribuyan a la sociedad dentro de Sur y Centro América.

Las compensaciones estarán enfocadas en beneficiar proyectos ubicados en Chile y en Perú. En ambos casos, las iniciativas cumplen con los más altos estándares internacionales de reducción de gases de efecto invernadero.

En Chile, se trata del Parque Solar Fotovoltaico, ubicado en el desierto de Atacama, destinado a generar energía limpia y renovable con certificación CDM. En Perú, la compensación se enfoca en la Gestión Forestal Comunitaria, en el borde de la selva amazónica, que impulsa la reducción de las emisiones globales, certificado por VCS y CCBA.

Ingo Goldhammer, Presidente de Kuehne+Nagel para América del Sur y Central, comenta: “Tenemos un claro propósito de sostenibilidad. La asociación con LATAM nos llena de optimismo al permitirnos desarrollar proyectos climáticos dentro de la región, protegiendo el lugar en el que vivimos al mismo tiempo que ofrecemos valor a nuestros clientes y a la comunidad”.

Andrés Bianchi, CEO de LATAM Cargo, agrega: “Cerramos una temporada récord del Día de la Madre en términos de volumen con este importante hito: colaborar con Kuehne-Nagel para compensar las emisiones de carbono de estos embarques a través de nuestro programa Vuela Neutral. Desde LATAM Cargo continuaremos ofreciendo a nuestros clientes más opciones para alcanzar juntos nuestros objetivos de sostenibilidad".

Acciones como el ahorro de energía, oportunidades de empleo y desarrollo de nuevos negocios locales, hasta el cuidado de especies de animales en peligro de extinción, conservación de bosques y prevenir la deforestación, son parte de las metas propuestas que ambas compañías aspiran generar con miras a frenar el impacto ambiental y disminuir la huella.

Kuehne+Nagel  North America launches an electric truck service to shuttle air cargo between Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and Kuehne+Nagel’s airport warehouse Torrance facility. The new offering will also support customers with carbon neutral pick-up and last mile delivery of their goods.

The ‘sustainable airport corridor’ solution is the outcome of Kuehne+Nagel’s close collaboration with customers in the LA area seeking a sustainable pick-up and delivery service from the airport within a radius of 70-80 miles. To answer the need, Kuehne+Nagel has secured battery electric vehicles (BEVs) for short pick-up and delivery services as a zero carbon emissions solution. The electric truck service was further expanded to shuttle air freight from airport warehouses to airlines at LAX. Combined with Kuehne+Nagel‘ Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) solutions, the initiative further reduces CO2 emissions and supports both Kuehne+Nagel and their customers‘ sustainablity goals.

“Today Kuehne+Nagel customers ship their products with sustainable fuel globally. Aimed at accelerating transition to a low-carbon future, last year we launched the first carbon neutral lane between North America and Europe fully powered by Sustainable Aviation Fuel. This new electric truck service, now in operation at LAX, has extended that sustainable service corridor further. This is a tremendous step forward for our clients and Kuehne+Nagel who have a shared sustainability focus,” says Greg Martin, Senior Vice President Air Logistics, North America.  

Kuehne+Nagel plans to expand the new sustainable offering to other major US air freight hubs.  

Kuehne+Nagel becomes the first air logistics provider to offer its customers the option to purchase Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) for each shipment and thus instantly avoid carbon emissions. This new add-on is available on all Kuehne+Nagel air freight quoting platforms and channels, allowing customers to choose carbon neutral transport via their preferred online or offline quoting method.

With the newly launched offering, all Kuehne+Nagel customers can easily opt for SAF to be used instead of fossil fuel for air transport and benefit from net zero carbon emissions air freight services — regardless of airlines used, origin or destination. As SAF still produces some CO2 emissions, carbon neutrality is achieved by substituting each litre of jet fuel kerosene used with 1.33 litres of SAF.

Once the customer requests a quote, the price add-on is instantly calculated alongside all other transport charges and presented as a selectable option. The novelty of the offering also lies in the more intuitive SAF pricing structure. Until now, SAF pricing was quoted on a per litre or CO2 ton avoided basis, whereas now it is linked to the actual weight of a shipment. With this new SAF option, Kuehne+Nagel calculates the SAF usage and provides a quote in the well-known and customer-friendly “per kg” air freight pricing basis. After the booking confirmation, the equivalent volume of SAF is credited from 12.8 million litres of SAF available to Kuehne+Nagel while the customer receives an authorised certificate confirming the emissions saving for purposes of scope three reporting.

Yngve Ruud, Member of the Management Board of Kuehne+Nagel, responsible for Air Logistics, commented: "As part of the Net Zero Carbon programme and migration to a low carbon business model, we keep developing easy and transparent sustainable shipping options so that our customers always have a choice of how they want to minimise the environmental impact of their shipments. With the new SAF add-on now available on all quotes, our customers can quickly shift from intent to climate action."

SAF is currently the most effective measure to significantly reduce the environmental footprint of shipping. While the carbon lifecycle of fossil fuels is linear and results in the release of additional CO2 emissions, the carbon lifecycle of SAF is circular and allows for the reuse of waste or biomass and emissions. SAF significantly reduces the amount of additional carbon introduced into the global carbon cycle by at least 75%.

For more information about Kuehne+Nagel's sustainable aviation fuel offering, please visit the Kuehne+Nagel SAF webpage.

Kuehne+Nagel and Lufthansa Cargo have agreed on an exclusive partnership for the promotion and use of synthetic crude oil from NGO atmosfair based in Berlin. The logistics service providers have jointly committed to supporting the world's first production site for synthetic crude oil in Werlte, Emsland (Germany) by purchasing 25,000 litres per year for the next five years. Synthetic fuels have not yet been produced industrially, but are available only in laboratory quantities. This fuel is considered to be the fuel of the future, capable of bringing the CO2 footprint of aircraft engines to zero.

Yngve Ruud, Member of the Management Board of Kuehne+Nagel, responsible for Air Logistics, commented: "Already now, Kuehne+Nagel customers can avoid carbon emissions of their shipments globally with our bio SAF solutions and I am delighted to see that time has come for synthetic SAF as the long‐term solution for aviation. By securing the first power-to-liquid fuel production together with Lufthansa Cargo, we are sending a strong message of commitment and collaboration, inviting our industry colleagues and customers to join us in creating the low-carbon economy of the future already today."

"We clearly see the key to a sustainable reduction of our emissions in flight operations in the research and use of synthetic, sustainable aviation fuels. The fact that we are now pioneering power-to-liquid technology together with Kuehne+Nagel makes us particularly proud and shows once again that we are actively tackling our climate protection challenges," Dorothea von Boxberg, CEO Lufthansa Cargo, explained the strategic background to the partnership with Kuehne+Nagel.

With characteristics almost identical to those of conventional jet fuel, sustainable aviation fuels are an essential pillar on the way to CO2 neutral flying. There are two main types of sustainable aviation fuel – bio SAF and synthetic SAF. 

Until now, Kuehne+Nagel and Lufthansa Cargo have used bio SAF to reduce the carbon footprint of air freight. While bio SAF is produced from biomass (waste products and feedstocks with low carbon content), the primary energy source and feedstocks for the production of synthetic SAF are renewable electricity, water and carbon dioxide (CO2). Synthetic SAF is considered the long‐term solution for the industry as it can be produced without availability limits, avoiding biomass supply limitations, and can reduce emissions up to 100%.

For more information about Kuehne+Nagel's sustainable aviation fuel offering, please visit Kuehne+Nagel SAF webpage.

Inex Partners Oy has once again nominated Kuehne+Nagel as its partner for order and supplier management and overseas ocean freight. Preceded by a 10-year partnership, this contract extension is also based on Kuehne+Nagel’s sustainable transport offering. Inex Partners Oy is a wholly-owned subsidiary of SOK Corporation whose main task is to provide warehousing and transportation services for the grocery and consumer goods chain of the S Group – a customer-owned, Finnish network of companies in the retail and service sectors with more than 1,800 outlets.

In Finland, sustainability is at the top of the national agenda. With its green mindset and world-class research environment, Finland generates sustainable solutions for various industries and areas of life. Moreover, Finland aims to be a carbon-neutral society by the year 2035. As 8% of global CO2 emissions are caused by trade-related freight transport, Finnish companies are also mindful of the emissions caused by their supply chains. Inex Partners Oy has set itself the goal of reducing domestic emissions by 20% by 2025. This will be achieved, in part, by streamlining logistics, optimising routes, and using sustainable fuels as part of Kuehne+Nagel's Net Zero Carbon programme, which aims to reduce CO2 in all of the company's transport and logistics services worldwide.

"We are proud that Inex Partners, together with Kuehne+Nagel, has already achieved carbon neutrality in ocean freight logistics and we will continue our efforts to reduce carbon emissions in other modes of transport globally and domestically," says Lasse Korhonen, Head of International Logistics at Inex Partners Oy.

Otto Schacht, Member of the Management Board of Kuehne + Nagel International AG, responsible for Sea Logistics, says: “Next to being fully carbon neutral in our direct sphere of influence as of 2020, we have decided to proactively address the CO2 footprint of the transportation services performed by our suppliers – airlines, shipping lines and haulage companies – by 2030. We can only achieve this goal together with like-minded customers like Inex Partners Oy, who are willing to work together on a green transformation in logistics.”

Kuehne+Nagel and IAG Cargo, the cargo division of International Airlines Group, completed a chain of 16 charter flights from Stuttgart to Atlanta fully carbon neutral after securing initial 1.2 million litres of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). This collaboration marks the first time ever that such a charter chain is operated with net zero carbon emissions. The entire project utilised aircraft primarily suited for passenger travel, but temporarily operated in support of cargo.

The last of the British Airways B787-900 flights left Stuttgart on June 26 with an average of 45 tonnes of automotive spares and other industrial goods from shippers destined for Atlanta. Since it began its charter service last year, Kuehne+Nagel has now completed more than 300 charters - all carbon neutral either via offsetting or use of alternative fuel.

As SAF still produces some CO2 emissions, complete carbon neutrality was achieved by substituting each litre of jet fuel kerosene used with 1.25 litres of SAF. Offering this solution from Stuttgart airport, the initiative highlights the importance of joint efforts for making sustainable transportation choices and possibilities available at close-by airports to local and global industry players avoiding further emissions through trucking goods into major hubs.

Answering growing customer demand for environmentally friendly logistics, Kuehne+Nagel is proactively expanding its sustainable services portfolio with innovative and easily customised shipping options. The overall commitment so far of 12.7M litres of SAF allows Kuehne+Nagel customers to benefit from immediately available alternative fuel solutions to avoid CO2 emissions of their air freight globally.

Yngve Ruud, Member of the Management Board of Kuehne+Nagel, responsible for Air Logistics, commented: “Climate change has now given new urgency to the search for clean, renewable fuels as they are currently the most effective measure to achieve true decarbonisation in our industry. Kuehne+Nagel is committed to increase its supply of SAF as part of our ambitious Net Zero Carbon programme. Our work with our suppliers is critical here, with trusted partners like IAG Cargo playing a vital role in the attainment of our goals by fostering deployment of sustainable fuels so our like-minded customers can ship their products CO2 neutral in an easy and transparent way.”

John Cheetham, Chief Commercial Officer at IAG Cargo, commented: “International Airlines Group was the first European airline group to commit to powering 10 per cent of its flights with sustainable fuel by 2030. These charters mark IAG Cargo’s first step on that journey – I’m incredibly proud of our commitment to long-term sustainability, helping to reduce carbon footprint overall.

“We are constantly looking at ways which reduce our impact on the environment whilst improving our customer offering and we were delighted to support Kuehne+Nagel with sourcing this SAF to power these landmark charters, the first of many.”

SAF is currently the most effective measure to significantly reduce the environmental footprint of shipping. In contrast to fossil fuels, which are exhaustible resources and release additional CO2 emissions, SAF`s are produced from renewable feedstocks and have a circular carbon lifecycle aimed at re-using waste or biomass and emissions produced.

Kuehne+Nagel announces the road-to-rail programme with Japanese automobile manufacturer Honda. The programme increasingly relies on train transport on long haul routes, coupled with the use of regional hubs for improved supply chain performance and reduced carbon emissions.

Kuehne+Nagel first announced its Net Zero Carbon programme in 2019, aiming to address CO2 reduction in transport and logistics services. Since 2020, the company has been CO2 neutral worldwide for all own, direct emissions. Kuehne+Nagel further offers solutions to support customers in reducing their carbon footprint.

Through KN Sincero, a joint venture dedicated to supply chain services for the automotive industry, Kuehne+Nagel has been developing a strong footprint in China. In light of challenges around inbound-to-manufacturing transportation, KN Sincero developed an integrated solution for Honda to convert domestic long-haul trucking to rail, offering consolidations and value-added services including sorting, scanning, repackaging, GPS track & trace, as well as recyclable container management.

After six months, the supply chain reliability and efficiency improved significantly. With this road-to-rail model, approximately 16,000 fewer tonnes of CO2 will be emitted on a yearly base, a reduction of 70% compared to the trucking model.

Mr. Jiang Hui and Mr. Takuji Kitamura, Joint General Manager of Wuhan Dong Hon, the logistics affiliate of Dongfong Honda Automotive said: “Kuehne+Nagel has always been a supply chain partner that we can rely on, to help us improve our supply chain performance whilst also achieving our environmental goals.”

“Automotive is one of the most important sectors in Contract Logistics, particularly in China, the world’s largest automotive market. I am glad that Kuehne+Nagel and Honda share a common vision of service, innovation and sustainability,” said Gianfranco Sgro, member of the Management Board of Kuehne + Nagel International AG, responsible for Contract Logistics.

Building on their successful partnership, Boris Herrmann’s Team Malizia and Kuehne+Nagel are embarking on a new five year engagement including The Ocean Race 2022/23 and the Vendée Globe 2024/25. Herrmann’s athletic performance culminated in a fifth place in this year’s Vendée Globe and created strong enthusiasm and media impact in Germany, France and many other countries around the globe.

The partnership will continue to focus on ocean science and education as well as joint key actions to enable CO2 visibility and CO2 reduction. The promotion of new fuels based on renewable energies complements the common agenda. The mission of Team Malizia is to promote ocean science and environmental education around the world whilst organising touch points and events along race stopovers for businesses to exchange on sustainability initiatives and creating opportunities to interact with local schools, scientists and the general public.

Next to Kuehne+Nagel, Hapag-Lloyd, MSC, Zurich Group Germany, Yacht Club de Monaco and others will join the common race for the future in support of the activities of Team Malizia. All partners unite behind a shared mission to support the United Nations Sustainability Goals (SDGs) and Team Malizia’s “A Race We Must Win” movement which is about increasing ambition around climate action (SDG 13) as one of the most pressing challenges of our time.

“We are all together in one boat in a race against time to find solutions for the climate crisis. Therefore, we want to highlight some of the industry solutions our partners work on, to help inspire a common vision and advocate for ever more ambitious action. The partnership with Kuehne+Nagel is about being an emotional example and ambassadors who can report authentically, since Kuehne+Nagel’s Seaexplorer visualises the carbon emissions of sea freight vessels worldwide and thus enables its customers to choose the service with the lowest CO2 emissions,” explains Boris Herrmann.

Otto Schacht, Member of the Management Board of Kuehne + Nagel International AG, responsible for Sea Logistics, says: “It is a scientifically proven fact that ocean health is ultimately important for human well-being. As part of our corporate identity, Kuehne+Nagel strives for a sustainable future. Environmental protection through CO2 transparency and reduction is one of our company’s major Net Zero Carbon goals. We are excited to continue this journey with Team Malizia to raise awareness and drive a sustainable future.”

Sustainability Report 2020

SailGP today announced Kuehne+Nagel as its official logistics partner for the next three seasons, through 2024. Both partners aim to set a new standard for major event logistics, minimising the carbon footprint of the sail racing league's transport within their climate positive strategy. As part of its Net Zero Carbon programme, Kuehne+Nagel is also pursuing its own goal of being completely CO2 neutral by 2030, including transport emissions from its suppliers (Scope 3 of the Greenhouse Gas Protocol).

Kuehne+Nagel will work with SailGP to support the global logistics of its multi-continent race calendar with industry-leading sustainable shipping methods including alternative fuels. In addition, Kuehne+Nagel gives the league full visibility on all shipping-related emissions through its Seaexplorer platform. The tool will enable SailGP to select more efficient transport routes for future seasons that emit substantially less carbon. For the shipping emissions that can’t be removed or reduced, Kuehne+Nagel will offset the remaining carbon footprint via verified gold standard offsets. Combined, the measures will ensure a 100 per cent CO2 neutral supply chain.

Otto Schacht, Member of the Management Board of Kuehne+Nagel International AG, responsible for Sea Logistics, said: "The Kuehne+Nagel teams in the SailGP event locations are more than delighted to provide logistical support to SailGP at every regatta around the globe. Our partnership is based on the same mindset of caring for the future of our planet. We at Kuehne+Nagel are committed to providing environmentally friendly and sustainable supply chain solutions – also in the events logistics industry."

SailGP CEO Sir Russell Coutts said: “Our approach to partnerships starts with wanting to work with like-minded organisations that share our vision and align with our values and goals. Kuehne+Nagel is the perfect example of this; they are innovators and leaders in their industry. Our global platform enables us to work together to identify and test innovations that could inspire new sustainability standards for logistics in the events industry and showcase how suppliers can take responsibility for the carbon footprint of their services – as well as help us to come closer to our own goal of being fully powered by nature by 2025.”

Find out more about SailGP’s Race for the Future here.

Kuehne+Nagel and American Airlines join forces to act on climate change, entering into an agreement to deploy more than 11 million litres of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). 11 million litres (3 million gallons) of SAF would enable a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner passenger aircraft to fly 25 times carbon neutral around the world or transport 13 million kg of cargo from London to Dallas on a Boeing 777F cargo aircraft. Kuehne+Nagel customers can now benefit from immediately available SAF solutions to avoid CO2 emissions of their air freight globally.

As part of the Net Zero Carbon programme, Kuehne+Nagel is proactively advancing its sustainable and scalable solutions to decarbonise air freight shipments. SAF is currently the most effective measure to significantly reduce the environmental footprint of aviation and foster transition to carbon neutrality. With the newly launched SAF offering, customers can power their products with alternative fuel directly via the logistics provider. Kuehne+Nagel portfolio of sustainable solutions will be further expanded with innovative and easy shipping options.

Yngve Ruud, Member of the Management Board of Kuehne+Nagel, responsible for Air Logistics, comments: “The demand for environmentally friendly air logistics services is certainly on the rise. Through the innovative collaboration with American Airlines, we commit to support our customers` sustainability ambitions and contribute to the development and widespread use of alternative aviation fuels. We encourage all the industry stakeholders to join us in bringing carbon neutral flying one step closer.”

“Partnering with Kuehne+Nagel as part of our effort to reduce the impact of aviation on our planet has been an incredible example of the kind of collaboration that will drive real change,” said Jessica Tyler, President of American Airlines Cargo and Vice President of Operations Innovation & Delivery. “This strategic, market-based solution will help create a cleaner supply chain and is aimed at accelerating our transition to a low-carbon future.”

SAF is a key element to mitigate aviation's impact on climate change. While the carbon lifecycle of fossil fuels is linear and releases additional CO2 emissions, the carbon lifecycle of SAF is circular aimed at re-using waste or biomass and emissions produced. The result of SAF use is a significantly reduced amount of additional carbon introduced into the global carbon cycle of at least 75%. To ensure full carbon neutrality when using SAF, the remaining CO2 emissions generated during production, processing and transport of SAF can be avoided by overcompensating the amount of jet fuel kerosene replaced by SAF up to a ratio of 1:1.33 or offset via Kuehne+Nagel through carbon reduction projects that carry currently the highest quality certification “Verified Carbon Standard (VCS)” and/or “Gold Standard (GS)”.

Committed to marine protection and sustainable shipping, CMA CGM, Hapag-Lloyd, MSC and Kuehne+Nagel support the yacht racing Team Malizia under the motto: "A Race We Must Win". With a strong environmental message, the partners are working for a sustainable future and contributing to ocean health by reducing worldwide CO2 emissions while focusing on the main pillars: CO2 reduction and transparency, science and education.

Team Malizia was founded in 2016 with the aim to perform at the highest level in the Vendee Globe 2020, a solo race around the world which started on November 8, 2020. Besides the sporting ambition, the team has a strong message around climate change and ocean protection geared toward educating kids around the world about what is happening in our oceans. The team has partnerships with leading scientific bodies in order to advance research on ocean CO2 and skipper Boris Herrmann carries an onboard ocean laboratory to measure valuable ocean data during all races.

As Boris Herrmann creates transparency for science, the partners Kuehne+Nagel, CMA CGM, Hapag-Lloyd and MSC create transparency of ocean shipping CO2 emissions. The racing yacht is therefore named after the platform Seaexplorer, the first tool that creates CO2 visibility in maritime logistics. Based on carrier data, the platform gives the partners and their customers insight into the CO2 emissions of various maritime transport services and thus the possibility to choose the most environmentally friendly transport alternatives.

Otto Schacht, Member of the Management Board of Kuehne + Nagel International AG, responsible for sea freight, says: “It is a scientifically proven fact that ocean health is ultimately important for human well-being. As we are all renowned organisations in our respective fields of activity, we want to join forces to achieve an even stronger and broader impact on society. Environmental protection through CO2 transparency and reduction is one of our company’s major sustainability goals.”

Diego Aponte, President & CEO, MSC Group, says: "Understanding the impact of climate change on the environment and on the oceans where we operate is of crucial importance. At MSC, we passionately believe that the path to sustainable shipping involves commitment, innovation, dialogue, advocacy, and investment. That’s why we keep investing in our fleet and in the latest technologies to protect the oceans and the environment, and, why we support Team Malizia's quest to gather scientific data from ocean racing under the leadership of the inspirational Boris Herrmann. MSC is delighted to continue to promote collaboration across all areas of the shipping and logistics sectors in order to help realise the ultimate common goal of a zero carbon future."

Rodolphe Saade, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, CMA CGM, says: “The protection of the environment is a major challenge for the years ahead, and one that we must all address together. It is an integral part of our strategy as demonstrated by our choice to power our future ships using Liquefied Natural Gas. We decided to support Team Malizia because we share the same values and the same commitment to protecting our oceans as their skipper Boris Herrmann.”

“Hapag-Lloyd is committed to a cleaner future for our industry”, says Rolf Habben-Jansen, Chief Executive Officer of Hapag-Lloyd AG. “We have taken significant steps over the last years to improve our own environmental footprint and have succeeded in reducing our CO2 emissions per TEU/kilometer by more than 50 percent since 2008. We believe that sustainability is a marathon rather than a 100-meter sprint. Given this fact, the issue will remain on our strategic agenda for the long term and be given high priority – also and especially in 2020, which has been an unusual year for all of us.”

Vendée Globe 2020 - Watch the video and follow Boris Herrmann live on https://www.borisherrmannracing.com/.

To support the industry’s carbon reduction targets, Kuehne+Nagel and Air France KLM Martinair Cargo have launched the first carbon neutral air freight lane between North America and Europe. This forward-looking initiative marks another step towards the commercial deployment of alternative fuel and companies’ commitment to a sustainable future for aviation.

Proactively addressing its carbon footprint, the year-round transportation of all Kuehne+Nagel cargo on board regular AFKLM flights from Los Angeles to Amsterdam will be fully fuelled by SAF. This first carbon-neutral lane underlines the strong sustainability programmes of both partners, Kuehne+Nagel’s Net Zero Carbon programme and AFKLM’s cargo SAF programme, which aim to connect people and goods through sustainable logistics.

Yngve Ruud, Member of the Management Board of Kuehne+Nagel, responsible for Air Logistics, comments: “The first zero emission route marks the beginning of our journey into CO2 neutral air freight and is another step towards achieving complete carbon neutrality by 2030. At Kuehne+Nagel, we are ready to take leadership and responsibility for the next generation of air transport and encourage our customers and industry colleagues to join us in making sustainable choices available.”

Adriaan den Heijer, Executive Vice President Air France-KLM Cargo and Managing Director Martinair: “The launch of an air cargo SAF programme is an important step in our ambitious sustainability roadmap for the coming years. We are extremely pleased with the willingness and concrete commitment of our partner Kuehne+Nagel to actually shape our common ambition for a more sustainable future. I look forward to other partners joining our SAF programme soon.”

With the chemical and physical characteristics almost identical to those of conventional jet fuel, SAF is the most effective measure the industry has to significantly reduce its carbon footprint. To ensure the lane is fully carbon neutral, all CO2 emissions generated during the production, processing and transportation of SAF will be offset by Kuehne+Nagel supporting carbon reduction projects that carry the highest quality certification currently available: “Verified Carbon Standard (VCS)” and/or “Gold Standard (GS)”.

As part of the “1 million kilos” charitable initiative, Kuehne+Nagel and Qatar Airways Cargo donate air freight services to UNICEF, supporting the agency’s global efforts in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic.

Triggered by the Covid-19 crisis, the “1 million kilos” initiative is part of the larger sustainability “We Qare” project of Qatar Airways Cargo, according to which the airline is donating one million kilos of freight for humanitarian aid including medical supplies until the end of 2020. The 1 million kilos are allocated to freight forwarders to give to the charities of their choice.

Kuehne+Nagel joined Qatar Airways Cargo in this project, ensuring that UNICEF cargo is safely and efficiently transported to the UNICEF Global Supply Hub in Copenhagen, Denmark. The various essential supplies, including protective equipment, are an important part of UNICEF’s efforts to keep health workers safe so they can continue to deliver quality care.

Yngve Ruud, Member of the Management Board of Kuehne+Nagel, responsible for Air Logistics, comments: “We acknowledge our responsibility and value the vital part we play in today's world – from ensuring the supply of pharma & healthcare products globally to the distribution of the upcoming Covid-19 vaccine. We are ready to leverage our strengths, our multimodal network of 230 locations, our logistics expertise and resources in the vaccine supply chain to support the global response. Our collaboration with Qatar Airways Cargo is just a part of a truly global endeavour to defeat the pandemic and make our world more sustainable, more resilient, and, most importantly, healthy.”

Guillaume Halleux, Chief Officer Cargo at Qatar Airways said, “We Qare is a project that is close to every employee’s heart at Qatar Airways and I believe such projects unite and bring together the industry especially during times of crisis. Through the 1 million kilos chapter, we are glad to work with Kuehne+Nagel to transport essential supplies, thereby supporting UNICEF’s global efforts. During the past months, we have also been working with various stakeholders to prepare our readiness plan that will enable seamless, quick and safe logistics of the vaccine to support the global response.”