Air France KLM Martinair Cargo and DHL renew SAF partnership

DHL Global Forwarding and Air France KLM Martinair Cargo (AFKLMP) have signed a new framework agreement, to decarbonize the air freight industry. Building on their partnership established in 2022, this agreement introduces a clear focus on emission reduction claims, emphasizing the development of market-ready book-and-claim models to advance sustainable air freight solutions across the sector.

“This framework agreement shows what collaborative decarbonization in air freight can look like,” said Henk Venema, Executive Vice President of Global Air Freight at DHL Global Forwarding. “Emission Reduction Rights provide predictability, scalability, and transparency –  three critical factors for sustainable aviation fuels to make a real impact within the market. Together with AFKLMP, we are establishing a foundation that can serve as a model for the entire industry.

As part of the new agreement, DHL Global Forwarding recently signed a work order for 35,000 metric tons of CO2e WTW (Well-to-Wheel) emission reduction rights. This collaboration with AFKLMP goes far beyond traditional sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) procurement.

Rather than relying solely on transactional fuel purchases, the partnership centers on a structured, long-term approach to accelerate the adoption of sustainable aviation fuels and digital verification processes in the marketplace.

Furthering DHL’s GoGreen Program

AFKLMP has long been one of the top-performing partners in DHL’s GoGreen Carrier Evaluation Program, and actively participates in joint industry initiatives, conferences, and webinars to promote transparency, standards, and practical solutions for more sustainable air freight. Both companies share the goal of further developing book-and-claim models to ensure businesses of all sizes have access to reliable and scalable emission reductions, even if sustainable fuels and technologies are not yet physically available on their trade lanes.

GertJan Roelands, SVP Commercial at Air France KLM Martinair Cargo, stated, “Our shared ambition and continued collaboration on SAF are fundamental to scaling the solutions needed to reduce the carbon footprint of the air freight industry. This new agreement reflects mutual trust, operational commitment, and a firm belief that only through close cooperation can we drive meaningful change across the air freight value chain.”