SHEIN, Lufthansa Cargo sign MoU to advance sustainable air freight

Global online fashion and lifestyle retailer SHEIN has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Lufthansa Cargo to explore joint initiatives aimed at advancing sustainable solutions in air freight, according to an official release from Lufthansa Cargo.

In the MoU, the two companies confirmed their intention to finalise the adoption of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) offsetting solutions for SHEIN deliveries within the next six months, as well as a range of other initiatives to promote the transition to renewable and lower-carbon energy sources for air transport operations.

“Signing this memorandum with SHEIN represents Lufthansa Cargo’s commitment to implementing high-performance logistics solutions responsibly and with operational excellence. It demonstrates the importance of concrete measures and reliable implementation in the international air freight business. Together with all stakeholders within the supply chain, we are driving the development of more sustainable global supply chains in line with our purpose: Enabling Global Business,” says Ashwin Bhat, CEO of Lufthansa Cargo.

The initiative supports SHEIN’s commitment to reducing its transportation-related carbon footprint. Under the agreement, Lufthansa Cargo will issue high-quality “Proof of Sustainability” certificates for the SAF volumes used. These certificates are based on externally verified standards and document emission reductions, compared to conventional jet fuel, in a traceable manner.

“Lufthansa Cargo has extensive experience in driving the adoption of SAF and will provide SHEIN with opportunities to adopt lower-carbon air cargo options,” says Ethan Shen, SHEIN's General Manager of Global Fulfilment. “Through this partnership, we aim to pilot and gradually expand the use of SAF where feasible, while continuing to explore additional ways to reduce the carbon footprint across our delivery network. While the use of SAF is one step towards reducing our transportation and distribution emissions, we recognise it as part of a broader decarbonisation strategy that should also include optimising logistics, fleet efficiency, and exploring other low-carbon solutions.”

The two companies are also exploring broader areas of cooperation, including knowledge sharing and enhanced methods to improve traceability and reporting of operational and environmental data. The MoU serves as the foundation for a long-term partnership between SHEIN and Lufthansa Cargo.