DB Schenker, Lufthansa Cargo extend SAF deal till October

By utilising sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and additional upstream compensation, they will save another 21,000 tons of CO2e.

"Lufthansa Cargo and DB Schenker have saved 31,000 tons of CO2e since starting their cooperation at the end of 2020. The weekly flight rotation continues to be the world's only regular full charter fully covered by SAF. On March 25, the partners will conduct their 100th joint greenhouse gas-neutral flight," according to an official statement from DB Schenker." It is our unshaken mission to build a carbon-neutral future for our customers and society at large," says Thorsten Meincke, Global Board Member for Air & Ocean Freight, DB Schenker. "With our long-term partner Lufthansa Cargo, we will now continue our carbon-neutral flight offer as well as the financial commitment. Alternative fuels help us to realise change, not just as a vision for the future but today. We would love to welcome even more customers who want to walk the talk with us."

Ashwin Bhat, Chief Commercial Officer, Lufthansa Cargo, added: "We are very pleased to extend our cooperation with our global partner DB Schenker. Together we operate completely CO2-neutral flight rotations between Asia and Europe as part of our summer flight schedule. DB Schenker has already committed to using about 7,500 tons of sustainable aviation fuel in 2022, which is a remarkable contribution to decarbonising air freight."

For each cargo rotation from Frankfurt to Shanghai and back, the demand of 174 tons of conventional kerosene will be covered by the purchase of SAF, which will then be fed into the refuelling system at Frankfurt Airport, the statement added. "This corresponds to 217,500 litres of SAF per week, which DB Schenker will use during the summer flight schedule. Thus, around 520 tons of CO2e emissions will be saved each week by SAF alone. In addition, DB Schenker offsets a further 150 tons of CO2e emissions generated during the transport and processing of SAF through certified carbon offset projects."

DB Schenker and Lufthansa Cargo piloted the concept of a fully SAF-covered intercontinental freighter rotation between Frankfurt and Shanghai in November 2020. A regular charter connection was launched in April 2021 and extended throughout the winter flight schedule. The launch year's customers include Siemens Healthineers, Mercedes-Benz, ZF, Merck, Nokia and Lenovo.