How DHL Launched the First SAF Cargo Service in Asia

DHL Express is making a major move towards sustainable air transport by launching Asia’s first regular cargo service powered by sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).

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

The agreement reflects DHL’s broader goal of increasing SAF usage 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 location in Asia. With this latest addition, Chubu becomes the 10th airport worldwide where DHL sources SAF, reinforcing the company’s commitment to greener logistics.

A step forward for Japan’s SAF production

Cosmo Energy, Japan’s third-largest oil refiner, is at the forefront of this initiative.

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

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

Tony highlights the significance of the deal, 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, echoes this commitment: "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."

Expanding SAF adoption in DHL’s global network

DHL Express already incorporates SAF into its operations at key airports worldwide, including Amsterdam Schiphol (Netherlands), Stockholm Arlanda Airport (Sweden), Brussels Airport (Belgium), East Midlands Airport (UK), Los Angeles International Airport (US), Leipzig Airport (Germany), Miami International Airport (US), San Francisco International Airport (US) and Stansted Airport (UK). 

With the addition of Chubu Centrair International Airport, DHL is now bringing SAF to Asia for the first time in its extensive air network spanning more than 500 airports.

In parallel, DHL continues to drive its GoGreen Plus initiative, a service introduced in 2022 that allows customers to offset their Scope 3 emissions—those generated by suppliers—through SAF.

The company’s SAF procurement strategy includes partnerships with BP (UK), Neste (Finland) and World Energy (US). Now, with Cosmo Oil joining the supplier network, DHL strengthens its ability to offer credible, transparent carbon reductions.

A key aspect of the agreement is the use of 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 emission-reduced 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 shift towards SAF is part of a larger strategy to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

The company is investing in multiple decarbonisation efforts, including electrifying delivery fleets, operating carbon-neutral facilities and increasing the use of sustainable fuels in its aviation network.

By taking the lead on SAF adoption in Asia, DHL is setting a precedent for other logistics companies to follow. This move not only reduces the environmental impact of air freight but also supports the growing demand for sustainable logistics solutions.

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