DHL Express Signs SAF Supply Agreement with Cathay Group

[Financial News] Global international express company DHL Express announced on the 19th that it has signed a 'Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)' supply agreement with Cathay Group, which operates Cathay Pacific Airways, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the air cargo transportation process.
Under this agreement, Cathay Group will supply a total of 2400 metric tons of SAF to DHL Express cargo flights departing from Incheon International Airport, Tokyo Narita International Airport, and Singapore Changi International Airport by the end of the year. These flights are operated by Air Hong Kong, a subsidiary responsible for DHL's Asian express cargo transportation. DHL expects to reduce approximately 7190 metric tons of greenhouse gases during the lifecycle of the aviation fuel in this process. This amount corresponds to emissions from operating an Airbus 330 freighter over 100 times on the Hong Kong-Singapore route.
Air Hong Kong has played a key role in DHL Express's Asia-Pacific network for the past 20 years. This agreement was achieved based on the long-standing cooperative relationship between the two companies and is expected to serve as a stepping stone to expand cooperation in the SAF field. With this, DHL also participates as a new strategic partner in Cathay Group's 'Corporate SAF Program'.
Peter Bardens, Executive Vice President of DHL Express Asia-Pacific Network and Aviation Operations, emphasized, "Air transport is one of the main causes of greenhouse gas emissions, but the proportion of SAF is still less than 1%. This decision is an important step in expanding SAF production and demand." Han Jiheon, CEO of DHL Korea, said, "This partnership is significant in realizing sustainable logistics in the Asian market, including Korea."
DHL has already signed long-term SAF supply agreements with Neste, British Petroleum (bp), and World Energy. It is also expanding the use of SAF globally by collaborating with Japan's Cosmo Oil Marketing to introduce locally produced SAF. Recently, it also signed a 7400 metric ton SAF supply agreement for flights departing from Singapore Changi International Airport.
This move is part of the 'Renewable Energy' initiative, a core strategy presented in the 'Strategy 2030' announced by the DHL Group in October last year. DHL Group is strengthening logistics solutions based on alternative fuels in eight areas, including wind, solar, EV, and hydrogen.

jimnn@fnnews.com Shin Ji-min Reporter