DHL expands partnership with Air France KLM Martinair Cargo, signs new framework agreement for emission-reduction rights

Photo: DHL Global Forwarding

DHL Global Forwarding and Air France KLM Martinair Cargo (AFKLMP) have signed a new framework agreement, further deepening their joint commitment to decarbonizing the air-freight industry.  

Building on their milestone partnership established in 2022, this agreement introduces a clear focus on emission-reduction claims, emphasizing the development of market-ready book-and-claim models to advance sustainable air-freight solutions across the sector. 

“This framework agreement shows what collaborative decarbonization in air freight can look like,” said Henk Venema, the executive vice president of global air freight at DHL Global Forwarding. “Emission-reduction rights provide predictability, scalability and transparency—three critical factors for sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) to make a real impact within the market. Together with AFKLMP, we are establishing a foundation that can serve as a model for the entire industry.” 

As part of the new agreement, DHL Global Forwarding recently signed a work order for 35,000 metric tons of CO2e well-to-wheel emission-reduction rights.  

This collaboration with AFKLMP goes far beyond traditional SAF procurement, according to DHL.  

Rather than relying solely on transactional fuel purchases, the partnership centers on a structured, long-term approach to accelerate the adoption of SAF and digital verification processes in the marketplace.  

For DHL, this is a strategic move that strengthens its position as a leader in emission-reduced air freight. 

DHL said AFKLMP has long been one of the top-performing partners in its GoGreen Carrier Evaluation Program and actively participates in joint industry initiatives, conferences and webinars to promote transparency, standards and practical solutions for more sustainable air freight.  

Both companies share the goal of further developing book-and-claim models to ensure businesses of all sizes have access to reliable and scalable emission reductions, even if sustainable fuels and technologies are not yet physically available on their trade lanes. 

“We are proud to renew this partnership with DHL Global Forwarding, a clear sign of leadership,” said GertJan Roelands, the senior vice president of commercial at Air France KLM Martinair Cargo. “Our shared ambition and continued collaboration on SAF are fundamental to scaling the solutions needed to reduce the carbon footprint of the air-freight industry. This new agreement reflects mutual trust, operational commitment and a firm belief that only through close cooperation can we drive meaningful change across the air-freight value chain.”  

The partnership with AFKLMP plays a central role in DHL Group’s aim to increase the use of SAF to 30 percent by 2030, by enabling measurable emission reductions and paving the way for standardized, globally applicable market mechanisms.  

The signing of the framework agreement was celebrated in Amsterdam with a small ceremony.  

DHL’s GoGreen Plus products provide decarbonized solutions across DHL’s core offerings by leveraging sustainable fuels and low-carbon technology.  

GoGreen Plus products are based on true value-chain decarbonization.  

This is enabled by the book-and-claim approach, which enables DHL to directly replace fossil fuels with sustainable fuels within the logistic company’s network and allocate environmental benefits to paying customers, even when their shipments are not physically transported with the assets using these fuels.  

GoGreen Plus allows DHL’s customers to reduce their indirect scope 3 emissions in their value chain arising from upstream and downstream transportation and distribution.  

It also helps customers with voluntary reporting of greenhouse-gas emissions and progress against their decarbonization targets.