Hapag-Lloyd and Kuehne+Nagel have established their first joint sustainable ocean shipping agreement focused on the use of Sustainable Marine Fuels (SMF).
Under this arrangement, Kuehne+Nagel will utilize Hapag-Lloyd’s “Ship Green” product to lower emissions across its ocean freight shipments.
Pilot Project on the East Asia – North Europe Route
The initial pilot project runs from April through December 2026. It covers approximately 3,300 TEU transported along the East Asia–North Europe trade lane.
The initiative targets a reduction of about 2,979 tonnes of CO₂e emissions on a well-to-wake basis. To achieve this, the operation will consume roughly 1,000 tonnes of waste-based biofuel that complies with RED III standards.
Book-and-Claim System for Scope 3 Emissions
The agreement operates on a book-and-claim chain-of-custody system. This framework permits customers to claim verified emissions reductions, independent of where the biofuel is physically burned within the Hapag-Lloyd fleet. The companies view this model as a way to support scalable climate action, utilizing waste-based biofuels as a practical transition solution for the shipping sector.
Danny Smolders noted that the agreement demonstrates how partnerships can generate measurable climate impact while assisting customers in reducing Scope 3 emissions. Paolo Montrone added that successful maritime decarbonization relies heavily on transparency, collaboration, and commercially viable solutions.
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Long-Term Net-Zero Targets This partnership aligns with both companies’ long-term climate goals and supports the wider maritime industry’s transition toward lower-emission shipping and energy independence:
Hapag-Lloyd is targeting net-zero fleet operations by 2045.
Kuehne+Nagel aims to achieve net-zero emissions across its entire value chain by 2050.