Bolloré Logistics joins SAF program, creates low-carbon airfreight route between US, France

Bolloré Logistics has joined the sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) program of Air France KLM Martinair Cargo (AFKLMP Cargo) for its 2021 shipments between Paris Charles de Gaulle and New York John F. Kennedy airports. This first-of-its-kind collaboration illustrates the ambition of these two historical partners to tackle the environmental challenge of airfreight transportation.

“The Cargo SAF Programme enables shippers and forwarders to power a percentage of their flights with SAF,” said Christophe Boucher, executive vice president of Air France Cargo. “Customers determine their own level of engagement and we ensure that their entire investment is used for sourcing SAF. I’m delighted to see the speed at which Air France KLM Martinair Cargo and Bolloré Logistics have come to an agreement on the use of our SAF program, launched a few weeks ago. I’m proud that together we are trendsetters in a field that will grow in our companies and in society.”

This innovative aviation fuel will cut CO2 emissions by at least 50 percent on airfreight shipped by Bolloré Logistics on this symbolic trade lane. Investing in this strategic route represents a new step towards achieving greater sustainability in the future for both Bolloré Logistics and AFKLMP Cargo.

“Reducing carbon emissions is a major challenge in the airfreight transportation industry and Bolloré Logistics is committed to addressing this with innovative solutions,” said Thierry Ehrenbogen, CEO of Bolloré Logistics. “In 2021, the company has committed itself to reducing scope 3 CO2 emissions linked to the performance of its transport services by 30 percent by 2030. We believe that sustainable aviation fuel is one of the key factors in reaching this ambitious objective.”

In line with its “Powering Sustainable Logistics” CSR program, Bolloré Logistics aims to provide its customers with cutting-edge solutions to drastically reduce the environmental impact of freight transportation. The solution offered by AFKLMP Cargo is the most efficient in today’s market and it will directly impact CO2 emission reduction.

“We are facing major challenges for the planet, which implies a considerable transformation throughout the value chain,” said Odile Maarek, CSR director of Bolloré Logistics. “Bolloré Logistics continues its efforts to contribute to the decarbonization of the sector and to offer our customers end-to-end solutions that are always more efficient from an environmental point of view, from clean trucks to the maximum use of reusable consumables and via sustainable aviation fuel.”

Air France KLM Martinair Cargo and Bolloré Logistics are looking forward to developing this collaboration and expanding the number of routes using SAF, with growing participation from other major international customers.

“I’m pleased with the clear commitment of Bolloré to join forces in making flying more sustainable by participating in the AFKLMP Cargo SAF program,” said Adriaan den Heijer, executive vice president of Air France-KLM Cargo and managing director of Martinair. “Only with such investments will we successfully develop a more viable market for sustainable aviation fuel.”