Verified reductions strengthen SMF market demand amid global push for low-emission logistics
DHL Global Forwarding to power majority of Henkel’s ocean freight with Sustainable Marine Fuel (SMF) in 2025
Agreement covers 9,000 TEUs and expected to cut 4,700 metric tons of CO2e on a well-to-wake basis
DHL and Henkel Scale Partnership on Low-Emission Shipping
DHL Global Forwarding and Henkel are expanding their cooperation to integrate Sustainable Marine Fuel (SMF) into the bulk of Henkel’s ocean freight, marking one of the logistics sector’s larger corporate applications of waste- and residues-based maritime fuels.
The new agreement builds on a 2024 pilot and will cover around 9,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in 2025. DHL estimates the use of SMF will reduce well-to-wake transport-related emissions by approximately 4,700 metric tons of CO2e, an 85% cut compared with conventional marine fuels. Independent verification will be provided by SGS.
Structuring the Transition: Book & Claim Model
Under the arrangement, DHL Global Forwarding procures SMF within its shipping network, allocating the environmental benefits to Henkel through a Book & Claim system. This approach enables Henkel to claim verified emission reductions even if its cargo is not physically transported on vessels running on SMF.
“By combining Henkel’s ambitious climate strategy with our sustainable logistics solutions, we are demonstrating that progress toward decarbonizing supply chains is possible today,” said Amanda Rasmussen, Chief Commercial Officer at DHL Global Forwarding. “We hope this agreement will inspire other companies to transition to low-emission transportation services using Sustainable Marine Fuel.”
Industry Implications for Supply Chain Decarbonization
Henkel, a multinational in industrial and consumer goods, views the partnership as integral to its climate strategy. “Working with DHL Global Forwarding on sustainable transport solutions is an important part of our strategy to reduce emissions within our logistics processes,” said Ondrej Slezacek, Henkel’s Global Category Manager for Sea & Air Freight. “Simultaneously, it helps accelerate the overall transition to low-emission logistics in our industry.”
Most shipments under the agreement will originate in Europe, reflecting regional pressure on companies to scale low-emission transport. For DHL, the deal signals strong customer demand for sustainable logistics solutions and reinforces the case for investment in alternative marine fuels.
RELATED ARTICLE: DHL Leads Sustainable Transport with Hydrogen Trucks in Germany
Market Dynamics and ESG Relevance
The agreement demonstrates how corporate buyers can drive market uptake of sustainable fuels despite availability constraints. By locking in demand, DHL and Henkel aim to help expand supply of SMF at scale.
For investors and executives, the partnership highlights several governance and ESG trends:
Policy alignment: European and global regulators are advancing shipping decarbonization targets, increasing compliance risks for cargo owners who fail to adapt.
Financial implications: Corporate commitments to pay premiums for SMF send clear signals to the fuel market, shaping capital flows and infrastructure investment.
Strategic positioning: Logistics decarbonization is increasingly a reputational and operational differentiator in global supply chains.
Looking Ahead
DHL Global Forwarding and Henkel’s move illustrates how multinational shippers are responding to regulatory, market, and stakeholder pressures to decarbonize freight. If replicated across industries, such partnerships could accelerate the commercialization of SMF and contribute to narrowing the shipping sector’s emissions gap with Paris-aligned climate pathways.
For ESG leaders, the development reflects a broader shift: corporates are no longer piloting small sustainability projects but are scaling solutions that carry measurable impacts and external verification.
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