Hapag-Lloyd and DHL Global Forwarding have signed a three-year framework agreement that commits them to the purchase of Scope 3 greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reductions linked to the use of second-generation biofuels within Hapag-Lloyd’s fleet.
The partners executed their first order under the agreement in July, covering 25,000 tonnes of avoided well-to-wake CO2 equivalent emissions. The initiative centres on the ‘book and claim’ chain-of-custody model, which allows emission reductions from the use of low-carbon fuels to be allocated to specific customers, regardless of where the fuel is physically consumed.
In practice, this enables forwarders such as DHL to offer shippers documented Scope 3 reductions on their cargoes, even if those exact vessels are not running on biofuels. Both firms argue that this approach is essential given the limited global supply of sustainable marine fuels and their significantly higher cost compared with conventional marine fuel oil.
For Hapag-Lloyd, the deal builds on its Ship Green product launched in 2023, which allows customers to claim emissions savings from biofuel blends. The company has used second-generation biofuels produced from waste and residue feedstocks since 2020. DHL, meanwhile, is integrating the system into its GoGreen Plus product line, which provides customers with Scope 3 emissions mitigation and reporting solutions based on sustainable fuels and low-carbon technologies.
Danny Smolders, Managing Director Global Sales at Hapag-Lloyd, said of the agreement: ‘We are delighted to have completed this order with DHL, demonstrating the feasibility and effectiveness of using sustainable marine fuels to reduce Scope 3 emissions through our Ship Green product. Partnering with DHL shows how powerful collaboration can be. Together, we are creating real momentum in further decarbonising supply chains, one bold step at a time.’
Casper Ellerbaek, Head of Global Ocean Freight at DHL Global Forwarding, added: ‘The signing of this three-year framework agreement marks a crucial step toward realising our shared vision of a decarbonised shipping industry. We are thrilled to partner with Hapag-Lloyd in driving the adoption of sustainable marine fuels and the book and claim mechanism, ultimately empowering our customers to achieve their climate goals.’
The deal aligns with Hapag-Lloyd’s target of net-zero fleet emissions by 2045 and DHL’s commitment to reach net-zero GHG emissions by 2050. While the immediate contribution of biofuel volumes remains modest relative to industry-wide demand, both companies see contractual frameworks of this type as building the commercial basis for future supply chains in alternative marine fuels.
For international shipping stakeholders, the partnership signals growing momentum behind book and claim as a near-term instrument to monetise decarbonisation efforts and to provide verifiable Scope 3 reductions for cargo owners. With regulators still defining how such instruments fit into compliance markets, corporate agreements like this one are positioning book and claim as a practical means of bridging the gap between ambition and supply.
