Yusen Logistics, Finnair strengthen collaboration through SAF agreement
Yusen Logistics announced Sept. 14 an agreement with Finnair concerning sustainable aviation fuel (SAF)-related environmental attributes.
Through this collaboration, the companies aim to support the reduction of lifecycle greenhouse-gas emissions associated with air-cargo transportation and contribute to efforts to decarbonize global supply chains.
Under the agreement, Yusen Logistics will purchase SAF-related environmental attributes from Finnair.
The arrangement uses a book-and-claim mechanism under which the environmental attributes associated with SAF use can be allocated separately from the physical movement of fuel and cargo.
The agreement was concluded with the support of Western Associates Inc., Finnair’s general sales agent in Japan.
The initiative forms part of Yusen Logistics’ broader sustainability strategy and supports Finnair’s efforts to expand the use of SAF in aviation.
The companies said they recognize the importance of collaborative and scalable approaches that address emissions from air-cargo transportation while maintaining reliable international logistics services.
The agreement reflects the shared ambition of Yusen Logistics and Finnair to support customers seeking ways to address emissions associated with air-freight transportation through SAF-related environmental attributes and to support the aviation industry’s transition toward lower-carbon operations.
The collaboration also demonstrates the importance of partnerships across the logistics ecosystem, bringing together airlines and logistics providers to support demand for SAF and contribute to the aviation industry’s broader decarbonization efforts.
Through this mechanism, customers can support the use of SAF.
Participating customers may receive certificates and emissions-related reporting concerning the SAF environmental attributes allocated to them.
These materials may support customers in understanding the relevant environmental attributes and in pursuing their sustainability objectives.
“We are pleased to see our customers making a long-term commitment to the use of SAF,” said Gabriela Hiitola, the senior vice president of Finnair Cargo. “This multiyear agreement with Yusen Logistics is an important milestone in reducing the climate impact of air cargo and a concrete example of how customers and airlines can work together to accelerate the energy transition. By creating long-term demand for SAF, we can help support the growth of production and availability in the years ahead. We hope this commitment will also encourage other companies to explore how SAF can help reduce air-cargo emissions.”
Eisuke Fukagawa, Yusen Logistics’ head of air-freight forwarding, added, “Our customers increasingly expect tangible and credible solutions to reduce the environmental impact of their supply chains. Through collaboration with Finnair, we can provide practical decarbonization options through a book-and-claim mechanism while maintaining the high service quality our customers require. In addition, customers can benefit from transparency through certificates and reporting related to SAF environmental attributes, helping support their own sustainability objectives. This agreement is another important milestone in our sustainability journey.”
Mitch Kobayashi, Yusen Logistics’ head of corporate sustainability, said, “Addressing emissions from global logistics requires collaboration across the transportation and supply-chain ecosystem. This initiative supports Yusen Logistics’ global sustainability strategy and provides customers with an additional way to support SAF use through allocated environmental attributes. It also demonstrates the role that cooperation between airlines and logistics providers can play in supporting the aviation sector’s transition toward lower-carbon operations.”
