Kuehne+Nagel and Mercedes-Benz Achieve Milestone in SAF Use

Kuehne+Nagel and Mercedes-Benz have reached a significant milestone in their sustainability efforts, saving nearly 11,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions in the past year through the use of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). This achievement is part of a strategic partnership that has been in place since 2019, focusing on decarbonising logistics for Mercedes-Benz’s US-bound supply chains.

The SAF initiative, implemented on charter flights using Kuehne+Nagel’s Boeing 747-8F cargo aircraft, has significantly contributed to reducing the carbon footprint of Mercedes-Benz’s transport logistics. Flights from Stuttgart, Germany, to Birmingham, Alabama, have been powered by SAF, marking a critical step toward Mercedes-Benz’s goal of net carbon neutrality.

Heiko Schuhmacher, Senior Vice President of Global Air Logistics at Kuehne+Nagel, emphasized the importance of this collaboration: “Our vision of becoming the most trusted logistics partner for a sustainable future by 2030 means that we take our responsibility to support our customers in reducing their CO2 emissions seriously. We are proud that this pilot project has evolved into a long-term partnership in the spirit of decarbonisation.”

Jörg Burzer, Member of the Board of Management of Mercedes-Benz Group AG, echoed this sentiment, stating, “Transport logistics is a key part of the automotive value chain. By using sustainable aviation fuel for air freight transport, we can reduce emissions along our value chain and take an important step towards net carbon neutrality.”

In related news, Kuehne+Nagel recently adjusted its cost-cutting program due to shifting market conditions, reducing anticipated savings from CHF 200 million to CHF 100 million. Chief Financial Officer Marcus Blanka attributed this revision to falling inflation and a more favorable market outlook. Despite these adjustments, Kuehne+Nagel has maintained its status as the world’s leading airfreight forwarder in 2023, outpacing competitors like DHL Global Forwarding.

This collaboration between Kuehne+Nagel and Mercedes-Benz not only highlights the successful application of SAF but also underscores the broader industry trend towards sustainable logistics practices.