DHL and Hapag-Lloyd target Scope 3 emissions

The agreement enables significant well-to-wake CO2 reductions via second-generation biofuels produced from waste and residue feedstock. In July 2025, the first order under this agreement, equal to 25,000 tonnes of CO2 reduction, was successfully executed.

“The signing of this three-year framework agreement marks a crucial step toward realising our shared vision of a decarbonised shipping industry,” said Casper Ellerbaek, head of Global Ocean Freight at DHL Global Forwarding.

“We are thrilled to partner with Hapag-Lloyd in driving the adoption of sustainable marine fuels and the book and claim mechanism.”

This collaboration uses the ‘book and claim’ system, which allows customers to account for Scope 3 emission reductions without being tied to the physical location of the sustainable fuel use. It is a critical enabler of early climate action, especially amid limited global supply and higher costs of sustainable marine fuels.

“We are delighted to have completed this order with DHL, demonstrating the feasibility and effectiveness of using sustainable marine fuels to reduce Scope 3 emissions through our Ship Green product,” said Danny Smolders, managing director, Global Sales at Hapag-Lloyd.

DHL aims to reach net-zero GHG emissions by 2050, while Hapag-Lloyd targets net-zero fleet operations by 2045. Both companies say collaboration and innovation are key to accelerating sustainable logistics.