Hapag-Lloyd and DHL Global Forwarding Sign Three-Year Sustainable Marine Fuels Agreement

Hapag-Lloyd and DHL Global Forwarding have formalized a three-year framework agreement focused on reducing greenhouse gas emissions in shipping. The agreement covers the purchase of Scope 3 emission reductions through the use of sustainable marine fuels in Hapag-Lloyd’s fleet.

The companies reported that the first order under the agreement was completed in July 2025, accounting for 25,000 tons CO2e well-to-wake emission avoidance. The biofuels applied are second-generation products made from waste and residue feedstock.

“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. “Partnering with DHL shows how powerful collaboration can be. Together, we are creating real momentum in further decarbonizing supply chains, one bold step at a time.”

Casper Ellerbaek, Head of Global Ocean Freight at DHL Global Forwarding, added: “The signing of this three-year framework agreement marks a crucial step toward realizing our shared vision of a decarbonized shipping industry. We are thrilled to partner with Hapag-Lloyd in driving the adoption of sustainable marine fuels and the book and claim mechanism, ultimately empowering our customers to achieve their climate goals.”

The framework utilizes the “book and claim” chain of custody system, which allows customers to claim Scope 3 emission reductions independently from the physical consumption of the fuel. This approach is seen as a practical method to accelerate decarbonization efforts at a time when the availability of sustainable marine fuels remains limited and costs are higher compared to conventional fuels.

Hapag-Lloyd has set a target to reach net-zero fleet emissions by 2045, while DHL is working toward net-zero across its operations by 2050. Both companies view sustainable fuel adoption as central to these goals.

Hapag-Lloyd began using second-generation biofuels in 2020 and has offered its Ship Green product since 2023, enabling customers to claim emission reductions. DHL provides similar services through its GoGreen Plus portfolio, which applies sustainable fuels and low carbon technologies under the book and claim method to help customers address Scope 3 emissions and report progress toward climate targets.