Lufthansa Cargo, Maersk team up for SAF deal
Lufthansa Cargo and Maersk have signed an agreement for the use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) on flights to decarbonise airfreight.
Under the agreement, Lufthansa Cargo will use 400 metric tonnes of SAF on behalf of Maersk in the remainder of 2024. The company believes that despite less than two months remaining in the year end, the move will help reduce CO2 emissions by at least 1,200 metric tonnes. Lufthansa Cargo usually witnesses high volumes at the year end.
“SAF is a key technological enabler for more sustainable flying and essential for the energy transition in aviation. With Maersk we are jointly making a valuable contribution with the new agreement,” said Ashwin Bhat, CEO, Lufthansa Cargo. “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,” said Ashwin Bhat, CEO, Lufthansa Cargo.”
Maersk aims to allocate the achieved emissions reduction to one of its European airfreight customers as part of its ECO Delivery Air product.
“Cutting greenhouse gas emissions from airfreight is one of the most challenging tasks within the decarbonisation of global logistics and supply chains,” said Morten Bo Christiansen, head of energy transition, Maersk. “This is why we are excited to partner with Lufthansa Cargo in this important task. 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 SAF used by Lufthansa Cargo will be produced from biogenic residues such as used cooking oil using the HEFA (Hydroprocessed Esters & Fatty Acids) process. Through the Lufthansa Group, Lufthansa Cargo offers SAF from established suppliers from Europe. The airline has been offering SAF optionality to its customers through the Sustainable Choice add-on service since September 2021.