Inside Asia's First SAF-Powered Cargo Service with DHL

DHL Express is ramping up its commitment to greener air transport with Asia’s first regular cargo service using sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). 

The logistics giant has secured an annual supply of 7,200 kilolitres of SAF from Japanese oil company Cosmo Energy Holdings, starting in April. This marks DHL’s first SAF procurement in Asia, positioning Chubu Centrair International Airport as a key hub for sustainable air freight.

The move aligns with DHL’s wider strategy to increase SAF use to at least 30% by 2030.

Tony Khan, President of DHL Japan, confirms plans to expand SAF procurement to three more airports this year, including another in Asia. With Chubu joining the list, DHL now sources SAF at 10 airports worldwide, reinforcing its focus on reducing emissions across its air network.

Japan’s push for domestic SAF production

Cosmo Energy, Japan’s third-largest oil refiner, is playing a crucial role in scaling up local SAF production.

The company is set to launch large-scale SAF production at its Sakai refinery in Osaka in April, aiming to produce 30,000 kilolitres per year. This will be Japan’s first major SAF project, using waste cooking oil in collaboration with partner firms.

DHL’s supply will come from Saffaire Sky Energy, a Cosmo subsidiary, which plans to begin mass production at a new facility in 2025. This agreement not only secures a reliable SAF source for DHL but also strengthens Japan’s role in advancing sustainable aviation.

Tony highlights the importance of this milestone, stating: "We are pleased that, through our agreement with Cosmo Oil Marketing, we will be the first international express provider in Japan to use the locally produced SAF on scheduled regular cargo flights.

"SAF is currently the most effective solution for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in air transport. Moving forward, as part of our responsibility to customers in Japan, we are committed to promoting emission-reduced shipping solutions and to contributing to the reduction of the transport sector's environmental impact."

Koji Moriyama, President and CEO of Cosmo Oil Marketing, shares a similar outlook: "We are delighted to contribute to the decarbonisation efforts of DHL Express and its customers through SAF, one of our key decarbonisation products.

"SAF plays an essential role in the decarbonisation of the aviation industry and we are excited to be part of this important initiative. Moving forward, we will continue to support the realisation of a decarbonised society, starting with this collaboration, by promoting the use of SAF."

DHL’s global SAF adoption strategy

DHL Express already incorporates SAF into its operations at major airports worldwide, including Amsterdam Schiphol, Stockholm Arlanda, Brussels, East Midlands, Los Angeles, Leipzig, Miami, San Francisco and Stansted.

With Chubu Centrair International Airport now on board, DHL is extending SAF adoption into Asia for the first time, strengthening its presence in more than 500 airports globally.

Alongside this expansion, DHL continues to drive its GoGreen Plus initiative, a service launched in 2022 that allows customers to offset Scope 3 emissions — those generated by suppliers — through SAF.

The company’s SAF procurement strategy includes partnerships with BP, Neste and World Energy. Now, with Cosmo Oil joining the network, DHL enhances its ability to offer transparent, verifiable carbon reductions.

A key component of this agreement is the International Sustainability & Carbon Certification (ISCC) Credit Transfer System.

This ensures that the environmental benefits of SAF are accurately tracked and transferred across the supply chain — from Cosmo Energy as the producer, to DHL as the airline operator and finally to customers using DHL’s lower-emission transport services.

The book-and-claim model means GoGreen Plus users worldwide can benefit from SAF, regardless of where it is sourced or which aircraft it is loaded onto.

DHL’s transition to SAF is part of a broader sustainability push, aiming for net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. The company is investing in various decarbonisation initiatives, including electrifying its delivery fleet, operating carbon-neutral facilities and expanding its use of sustainable fuels in aviation.

By taking the lead on SAF adoption in Asia, DHL is setting a precedent for other logistics firms to follow. This step reduces the environmental impact of air freight and supports the increasing demand for sustainable logistics solutions.

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