Lufthansa Cargo and A.P. Moller-Maersk (Maersk) have signed an agreement to promote the decarbonization of airfreight through the use of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF).
Lufthansa Cargo said it will use 400 metric tonnes of SAF on behalf of Maersk in the remainder of 2024, which is an important contribution to the year-end business with traditionally high cargo volumes.
The expected reduction of CO2 emissions corresponds to at least 1,200 metric tonnes.
"Cutting greenhouse gas emissions from airfreight is one of the most challenging tasks within the decarbonization of global logistics and supply chains. This is why we are excited to partner with Lufthansa Cargo in this important task," said Morten Bo Christiansen, head of energy transition at A.P. Moller-Maersk.
As one of the globally largest logistics companies, Maersk aims to reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040 across all modes of transport as well as other business areas like warehousing and container terminals.
"The uptake and availability of SAF in the aviation industry is still limited. Our agreement with Lufthansa Cargo enables Maersk to contribute to an increase in the uptake," Christiansen added.
Ashwin Bhat, CEO of Lufthansa Cargo, noted that SAF is a decisive technological key to more sustainable flying and essential for the energy transition in aviation.
"With Maersk we are jointly making a valuable contribution with the new agreement. At the same time, more sustainable flying also requires major efforts for a modern fleet and increased efficiency in flight operations. It is only through this interplay that change can be achieved sustainably," he said.
Lufthansa Cargo noted that its fleet of Boeing 777 freighters ensures the use of modern and efficient aircraft in its class.
The announcement said Maersk will allocate the achieved emissions reduction to one of its European airfreight customers as part of its ECO Delivery Air product.
ECO Delivery Ocean, Air and Inland are products offered by Maersk to aid in reducing GHG emissions when compared to conventional fossil energy sources.
