Kuehne+Nagel and Hapag-Lloyd have partnered to reduce nearly 3,000 tonnes of CO₂e emissions through a certified waste-based biofuel agreement for the 2026 season. Leveraging a book-and-claim mechanism, the initiative provides a scalable, RED III-compliant pathway to decarbonize the East Asia-Europe trade lane.
Switzerland | May 11, 2026 – In a powerful alliance between a global logistics titan and a premier ocean carrier, Kuehne+Nagel and Hapag-Lloyd have launched their first joint decarbonization initiative. This partnership leverages Sustainable Marine Fuels (SMF) to achieve immediate, tangible reductions in carbon emissions, marking a sophisticated shift toward market-based climate solutions in the container shipping sector.
The agreement focuses on the high-volume East Asia to North Europe trade lane, proving that green shipping is no longer a concept, it is a commercially viable service for the world’s most critical supply chains.
The “Ship Green” Engine: Scaling Verified Reductions
The heart of this collaboration is Hapag-Lloyd’s “Ship Green” product. Under the agreement, approximately 3,300 TEU of cargo transported between April and December 2026 will be covered by certified biofuel.
The initiative utilizes around 1,000 tonnes of RED III compliant, waste-based SMF. By opting for these high-grade biofuels, the partners expect to avoid 2,979 tonnes of CO₂e emissions on a comprehensive well-to-wake basis. This ensures that the environmental benefit is tracked from the fuel’s production to its final combustion at sea.
Book-and-Claim: The Key to Scalable Climate Action
A standout feature of this partnership is the use of the Book-and-Claim chain-of-custody mechanism. This model is essential for the future of bunkering and logistics because it decouples the physical fuel from the specific vessel:
- Flexibility: Customers can claim verified emission reductions even if the biofuel is burned on a different vessel within Hapag-Lloyd’s operated fleet.
- Transparency: The mechanism ensures that every tonne of CO₂e reduced is verified and allocated only once.
- Market Impact: It allows companies like Kuehne+Nagel to offer sustainable solutions to their customers without the logistical constraints of physical fuel allocation to every single ship.
Translating Partnerships into Impact
Danny Smolders, Managing Director Global Sales at Hapag-Lloyd, commented, “We are proud to take our partnership with Kuehne+Nagel to the next level. With Ship Green, we offer a scalable solution that enables our customers to actively reduce their Scope 3 emissions today. This agreement shows how strong partnerships can translate into tangible climate impact.”
Paolo Montrone, Head of Trade Global Sea Logistics at Kuehne+Nagel, commented, “Decarbonizing shipping requires transparency, collaboration and commercially viable solutions. By having strong partnerships, making emissions data transparent, and enabling scope 3 reductions, we help customers navigate in a credible, market-based way, designed to accelerate the uptake of alternative fuels. We are pleased to extend our collaboration with Hapag-Lloyd to make this come true.”
A Shared Vision for Net-Zero
This collaboration isn’t just about a single pilot; it is a tactical step toward the ambitious long-term goals of both organizations:
- Hapag-Lloyd: Committed to net-zero fleet operations by 2045.
- Kuehne+Nagel: Aiming for net-zero emissions across its entire value chain by 2050.
By utilizing waste-based biofuels as a bridge solution, the two companies are providing a blueprint for how the industry can move toward energy independence and decarbonization while maintaining the efficiency of global trade.
Industry Context: The Rise of RED III Compliance
The use of RED III (Renewable Energy Directive III) compliant fuels is significant. It ensures that the biofuels used are derived from sustainable waste and residues, preventing competition with food crops and meeting the highest regulatory standards currently set by the European Union.
About the Partners
About Kuehne+Nagel
The Kuehne+Nagel Group is a global powerhouse in logistics, employing over 85,000 people across 1,300 sites in nearly 100 countries. Headquartered in Switzerland and listed on the SMI blue-chip index, the Group is the undisputed global leader in Air and Sea Logistics.
Leveraging a vast global network and data-driven insights, Kuehne+Nagel provides end-to-end supply chain solutions for approximately 400,000 customers worldwide. The company is strategically focused on sustainable logistics, utilizing its market-leading position in Road and Contract Logistics to drive the transition toward a greener global economy.
About Hapag-Lloyd
With a fleet of 301 modern container ships and a total transport capacity of 2.5 million TEU, Hapag-Lloyd stands as one of the world’s premier liner shipping companies. The organization operates a global network of 133 liner services, ensuring reliable connections between more than 600 ports across every continent.
Beyond the sea, Hapag-Lloyd’s Terminal & Infrastructure segment holds equity stakes in 21 terminals across Europe, the Americas, India, and North Africa. With approximately 18,000 employees globally across its segments, the company remains a cornerstone of international trade and a leader in reefer container logistics.
Source: Hapag-Lloyd | Kuehne+Nagel