Swiss WorldCargo and World Courier have signed an agreement to use sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) for jointly executed transport missions to lower greenhouse gas emissions and improve their ecological footprint. It is the Swiss air freight division’s second SAF contract with a customer, following a deal with Italian forwarding agent PHSE, a specialist in the global transport of biopharma and healthcare products. Meanwhile, over in Berlin, Germany, integrator DHL and South African petrochemical firm, Sasol, have set up a joint initiative to build potential production capacities for SAF fuels based on green hydrogen, or eSAFs, at a site in the eastern part of Germany.
But back to Swiss WorldCargo and World Courier - a global specialty logistics provider that is part of Cencora (formerly AmerisourceBergen): Their joint SAF mission is equivalent to supporting 2,000 shipments of 100 kg each, reducing carbon emissions by 146,513 kilograms. Since this biofuel made from renewable biomass and waste resources is still a very rare and consequently expensive good, both players expect that their joint step will further increase the production of SAF, which is a key enabler for the transition of aviation to carbon neutrality, as is hydrogen as a climate-friendly source of energy.
Swiss WorldCargo expects inspiring effects
“Thanks to the agreement with World Courier and PHSE, we hope to inspire and motivate other customers to follow suit. This would make cargo transports more climate-friendly and lead to the scalability of SAF at the same time,” states Alexandra Dahl, Head of Cargo Marketing and Communications at Swiss World Cargo.
“At Swiss WorldCargo, we invest in driving positive change in the air freight landscape and are directing our efforts to making collaborations such as the one with World Courier, a new reality in the near future. World Courier's investment in SAF with Swiss WorldCargo is, in fact, a statement of our shared commitment for a more sustainable future of our logistics industry,” commented Lorenzo Stoll, Head of Cargo at Swiss International Air Lines, following the signing off the treaty at the Bush House in London.
Achieving CO2 reduction targets
“Our partners trust us to deliver vital pharmaceutical products around the world, ensuring they can reach the patients who need them. Our collaboration with Swiss WorldCargo directly aligns with our strategy and reflects the commitment across Cencora to achieve our enterprise-wide science-based carbon reduction target,” replied Alex Guite, SVP of Global Operations & Services at World Courier. Its parent company, Cencora, is committed to reducing its absolute Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions 54.6% by full year 2032, based on FY2019.
Market welcomes modular product structure
Asked about the market reaction to Swiss WorldCargo’s recent product initiative, Alexandra Dahl speaks of very positive responses. Customers are offered a bouquet of products & services from which they can select according to their specific shipping needs, cost, or product considerations. Meanwhile, this includes express shipments, valuables pharmaceuticals and other special products. They can choose between mitigating CO2 emissions or opt for compensation measures, Alexandra explains.
DHL, Sasol, and Airbus join forces to up SAF production
Over in Berlin, DHL and global chemicals and energy company, Sasol Limited of South Africa, have inked an agreement to set up an eSAF production plant in Eastern Germany, based on green hydrogen. Their plan is to produce at least 200,000 tons per year, with the potential to scale up to 500,000 tons annually. Aircraft frame maker, Airbus also intends to jump on the bandwagon and use the jet fuel, according to the joint statement. The pact emerged at the fringes of the National Aviation Conference held in Hamburg on 25SEP23, where German Chancellor, Olaf Scholz spoke of the importance of expanding SAF production in order to meet EU climate targets.
The companies' goal is to realize an eSAF production in Germany by 2030, the statement said, adding that they would immediately specify the technical and financial planning, as well as the financing and definition of the regulatory framework.
Sasol is the world's biggest producer of fuels and chemicals from coal and gas. The Sandton near Johannesburg headquartered company announced that that it will cut its emissions by 30% by 2030, and has agreed a SAF joint venture with Danish decarbonization company, Topsoe.
Heiner Siegmund
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