On December 22nd, CMA CGM Group announced a new cooperation with DHL, a global freight forwarding giant, jointly committing to reducing carbon emissions in global container transportation. This strategic partnership marks a key milestone in the shipping and logistics industry's transition to low-carbon development, leveraging sustainable biofuels and innovative low-carbon services to drive in-depth decarbonization of the global supply chain.
Core Cooperation: 8,990 Tons of UCOME Biofuel to Cut 25,000 Tons of CO₂e Emissions
The core of the cooperation lies in the joint use of 8,990 metric tons of UCOME second-generation biofuel. Through DHL's GoGreen Plus service and CMA CGM's ACT+ low-carbon transportation solution, the two parties will help customers reduce the carbon intensity of their supply chains and accelerate the industry's shift to green fuels.
UCOME (Used Cooking Oil Methyl Ester) is a second-generation biofuel made from recycled waste cooking oil. CMA CGM will physically bunker this biofuel in its fleet—compared with traditional fuels, it can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 80% on a well-to-wake basis <superscript>1. According to official estimates, this initiative alone will enable a reduction of approximately 25,000 metric tons of CO₂e emissions for ocean freight under DHL's GoGreen Plus service.
Dual Low-Carbon Services: Empower Customers to Achieve Climate Goals
The cooperation fully integrates the core advantages of CMA CGM's ACT+ and DHL's GoGreen Plus, forming a one-stop low-carbon logistics solution for global customers:
CMA CGM ACT+ Low-Carbon Transportation Service
Launched to meet customers' growing demand for environmentally friendly supply chains, ACT+ provides reliable and scalable low-carbon shipping solutions supported by CMA CGM's fleet optimized for alternative fuels. Since 2008, CMA CGM has reduced the carbon intensity of its shipping activities by 57% and continues to invest heavily in alternative fuels and dual-fuel vessels.
DHL GoGreen Plus Decarbonization Solution
Based on sustainable fuels and low-carbon technologies, GoGreen Plus focuses on value chain emission reduction. It helps customers reduce Scope 3 emissions generated from upstream and downstream transportation and distribution, effectively supporting enterprises to advance their carbon neutrality goals. Through the "book & claim" approach, DHL ensures that emission reductions from biofuel bunkering correspond to customers' logistics operations.
Leadership Insights: Collaboration Drives Low-Carbon Transition
Olivier Nivoix, Executive Vice President of Shipping at CMA CGM Group, said: "Our partnership with DHL demonstrates how collaboration can accelerate the shift to low-carbon shipping. ACT+ offers reliable and scalable solutions backed by our fleet designed for alternative fuels. CMA CGM, committed to net zero carbon by 2050, has already cut the carbon intensity of its shipping activities by 57% since 2008 and is investing heavily in alternative fuels and dual-fuel vessels"
Casper Ellerbaek, Head of Global Ocean Freight at DHL Global Forwarding, commented: "This collaboration marks another milestone in our mission towards low-carbon supply chains. By leveraging sustainable marine fuels, we help our customers achieve their climate goals and drive real progress toward decarbonization"
Long-Term Vision: Expand Low-Carbon Fuel Application & Deepen Decarbonization
Both parties stated that they will continue to explore opportunities to scale up the use of low-carbon fuels and develop innovative collaborative models in the future to promote in-depth decarbonization of the global supply chain. This long-term commitment aligns with their respective 2050 net-zero carbon emission goals.
As a pioneer in the application of biofuels and LNG-powered vessels, CMA CGM has long been committed to decarbonization investment. Through operational optimization, energy structure diversification, and technological innovation, the group is steadily advancing towards its 2050 net-zero carbon emission target. DHL, meanwhile, is accelerating the decarbonization of its global logistics network through GoGreen Plus and other initiatives, working with partners to build a sustainable supply chain ecosystem.
Industry Impact: Set a Benchmark for Green Shipping Cooperation
The strategic cooperation between CMA CGM and DHL sets a benchmark for cross-industry collaboration in decarbonization. By integrating shipping and logistics resources, promoting the large-scale application of second-generation biofuels, and providing market-oriented low-carbon solutions, it not only helps customers cope with increasingly strict carbon regulations but also injects strong momentum into the global shipping industry's green transformation.
