DHL adds Sustainable Marine Fuel option for full-container load shipment

DHL Global Forwarding is introducing another Sustainable Marine Fuel (SMF) service for ocean freight as part of its sustainability strategy.

In a statement, the air and ocean freight arm of Deutsche Post DHL Group, said they are now extending the carbon reduction option to Full-Container Load (FCL) shipments following the success of the launch of a similar service for Less-than-Container Load (LCL) shipments.

It said offering the option of using SMF is another step towards cleaner and greener ocean freight, in line with Deutsche Post DHL Group’s Mission 2050 of net-zero emissions logistics.

“As one of the leading ocean freight forwarders globally, we take a serious commitment in our fight against climate change. With the strong demand for ocean freight in the Asia Pacific, we are in a prime position to offer our customers a new and easier way to reduce their carbon footprint, by choosing sustainable biofuels and decarbonizing their entire ocean freight trade lanes,” said Kelvin Leung, CEO DHL Global Forwarding Asia Pacific.

He added that the launch of this new service “reinforces” DHL’s push toward a more sustainable supply chain.

The SMF service is now available for all ocean freight shipments. DHL said the carbon reduction is achieved by DHL Global Forwarding purchasing SMF through partners and matching it with the amount consumed in the FCL shipment.

It added that through the “book & claim” mechanism, there is no requirement for physical traceability of the fuel through a supply chain, as the environmental attributes of the SMF are separated from and can be purchased independently of physical fuel.

“With the goal of ‘burn less, burn clean,’ the logistics provider aims to optimize carbon consumption across its network, fleet, and real estate. As part of this, DHL has a GoGreen carrier rating program that allows the freight forwarder to give preference to carriers with strong environmental performance,” DHL said in its statement.

It said offering a sustainable alternative fuel for ocean freight is also another step within the Group’s sustainability efforts. By 2030, DHL said it wants to invest EUR 7 billion in climate-neutral logistics solutions and cover at least 30% of its fuel requirements with sustainable fuels.

DHL noted that its customers can easily choose the use of sustainable biofuels via the myDHLi Quote + Book function, which also includes a carbon calculator.