AFKLMP Cargo has welcomed two new partners to its SAF program focused on reducing greenhouse gas emissions in aviation and logistics, and DHL Global Forwarding has joined the United
Airlines’ Eco-Skies Alliance Program aimed at decarbonizing freight transports. Two initiatives, one objective.
Good news for the environment: In close cooperation with industrial partners, AFKLMP Cargo and DHLGF have taken steps to further reduce CO2 emissions without sacrificing product quality or
transport volumes. In the case of the Franco-Dutch cargo carrier, agreements were recently signed with two well-known Dutch freight forwarders – Best Global Logistics and Fast Forward
Freight.
With immediate effect, both companies are participating in the airline’s Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) scheme. In the case of Best Global Logistics (BGL), the firm will concentrate its SAF
commitment on marine transports (ship spares and components).
Setting an example
As a global forwarder with a leading role in marine logistics, BGL in cooperation with 4PL sister company Marinetrans, wants to motivate others to strive for climate neutral industrial solutions,
the company states. Supporting AFKLMP’s SAF advance is part of BGL’s Going Green strategy.
John Burgstra, Co-CEO of the GTS group and Group Director of Best Global Logistics, commented: “BGL is actively striving to reduce carbon emissions in our industry. As a global forwarder with
a leading role in marine logistics, BGL in cooperation with 4PL sister company Marinetrans, wants to set an example for many others in the industry (by joining the AFKLMP initiative).”
FFF encourages its partners to jump on the (SAF) bandwagon
Bernard Geersing, AFKLMP Cargo’s Director Benelux emphasizes that customers determine their own level of engagement and AFKLMP ensures that their entire investment is used to source SAF.
Such as Fast Forward Freight (FFF), which has committed to reduce CO2 emissions wherever possible. This ambition is an important reason for joining and investing in AFKLMP's SAF program, the
forwarding agent states. FFF monitors the impact the company’s activities have on the environment and sets targets for continuous improvement. Moreover, FFF encourages the adoption of similar
principles by its suppliers, the company emphasizes. Marc Terpstra, CEO of Fast Forward Freight: “Fast Forward Freight in its blueprint will use every opportunity to be sustainable in its
day-to-day activities. In this industry, every step forward makes a big difference, and it is our social responsibility.”
DHL-GF becomes a member of United Airlines’ Eco Skies Alliance
240 km east of Amsterdam, in Deutsche Post-DHL’s Bonn headquarters, the logistics arm DHL Global Forwarding recently announced it was joining the Eco Skies Alliance Program kicked off by United
Airlines. Thus, DHL-GF commits to financing the purchase of sustainable aviation fuel via United. The centerpiece of the model is a so-called ‘book and claim’ mechanism to further reduce CO2
emissions along the entire life cycle of products. Thanks to this process, physical traceability of fuel along a supply chain via the sale and purchase of certificates or credits is no longer
necessary.
The benefits of this are allocated by DHL-GF to the customers, the company assures, helping them to reduce their own carbon footprint. “We are immensely proud to take another step on our
sustainability roadmap towards zero emissions. Through this partnership, we will be able to show how a market mechanism for SAF can help airlines, freight forwarders, and shippers work together
to accelerate the transition to a low-carbon, ultimately zero carbon emissions transport sector,” says Tim Scharwath, CEO DHL Global Forwarding, Freight. The company adds to this that a key
criterion in evaluating the suitability of a fuel alternative is that the fuels are produced sustainably and do not compete with other needs, for example with food production for land use.
Following strict sustainability standards, the waste-based biofuels must meet the requirements to qualify as the cleanest biofuels currently available on the market.
What’s needed are frontrunners
With the newly formed Eco-Skies Alliance program, United Airlines aims to power future flying in a more sustainable way. “The initiative is an opportunity for us to collaborate with
like-minded corporate and cargo customers, like DHL, who are leaning into the climate discussion and actively finding ways to leverage their relationships to decarbonize their aviation-related
impact on the environment,” Jan Krems, President of United Cargo, stated.
The DHL-United collaboration on SAF is applauded by Christoph Wolff, Head of ‘Shaping the Future of Mobility’ at the World Economic Forum. “We need frontrunners like United Airlines and DHL
Global Forwarding to put concepts into practice so that it can be validated and turned into a formal standard.”
Heiner Siegmund
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