Scan Global Logistics and Hapag-Lloyd have expanded their decarbonization partnership by integrating the “Ship Green” biofuel solution to eliminate over 8,500 tonnes of Well-to-Wake CO2e emissions. Utilizing a virtual book-and-claim mass balance model, the initiative allows global cargo owners to immediately reduce verified Scope 3 supply chain emissions without altering physical logistics operations.
Copenhagen | May 20, 2026 – Global freight forwarding specialist Scan Global Logistics (SGL) has expanded its strategic decarbonization partnership with ocean carrier giant Hapag-Lloyd through a major commercial commitment to sustainable marine biofuels.
The transaction integrates Hapag-Lloyd’s “Ship Green” emissions-accounting product directly into SGL’s existing low-carbon cargo portfolio, allowing shippers to instantly cut carbon footprints across international trade lanes.
The scaled-up agreement will effectively prevent more than 8,500 tonnes of CO2 equivalent (CO2e) emissions on a Well-to-Wake (WtW) basis. This metric measures the entire life cycle of the fuel, from raw material extraction and production through to deep-sea combustion.
Technical Mechanics: The Mass Balance and Book-and-Claim Model
As the maritime sector faces immense capital expenditure constraints to develop zero-emission propulsion infrastructure, biofuels have emerged as the fastest-scaling drop-in alternative for traditional bunker fuels.
The SGL and Hapag-Lloyd collaboration circumvents physical supply chain constraints by utilizing a virtual-allocation ecosystem. The accounting system functions through the following sequential stages:
- Sustainable Sourcing: High-grade, second-generation biofuel is manufactured exclusively using waste products and residue-based feedstocks, such as used cooking oils.
- Physical Co-Processing: The alternative fuel is delivered to bunkering hubs and blended directly into Hapag-Lloyd’s mainstream fleet fuel tanks, replacing conventional heavy fuel oil.
- Environmental Auditing: The total greenhouse gas reductions are calculated on a Well-to-Wake basis and audited under the Mass Balance principle.
- Certificate Issuance: A verified carbon reduction certificate is generated, decoupling the environmental benefit from the physical vessel route.
- Scope 3 Mitigation: SGL allocates these certificates directly to cargo owners, allowing shippers to legally deduct corporate Scope 3 supply chain emissions regardless of which physical vessel carried their freight.
Executive Commentary on Biofuel Deployment
Including stakeholder statements directly illuminates the commercial driving forces behind this biofuel expansion, highlighting a growing industry shift toward immediate, actionable green solutions over long-term target-setting.
Danny Smolders, Managing Director Global Sales at Hapag-Lloyd, emphasized the immediate practicality of the program “Together with Scan Global Logistics, we are driving forward practical solutions to reduce emissions in ocean freight. Ship Green enables customers to act today and take meaningful steps towards their sustainability targets.”
Martin Andersen, Global Head of Sustainability & ESG at Scan Global Logistics, highlighted the market demand for immediate corporate action over distant pledges “Our customers are asking for real emission reductions. Not promises for 2030 or 2050, but solutions they can use straight away. By working with Hapag-Lloyd and investing in biofuel, we can reduce emissions from ocean freight right now, without changing how our customers operate. That’s what makes this collaboration meaningful.”
Andersen further noted the operational simplicity and cost-effectiveness of drop-in marine fuels “Ocean biofuel is a powerful solution for customers as it reduces emissions without changing anything in the supply chain in an affordable way.”
Aligning Disparate Decarbonization Timelines
The expanded alliance bridges two corporate climate strategies that are moving faster than the broader International Maritime Organization (IMO) mandates. While the UN maritime agency targets net-zero emissions “by or around 2050,” both European entities have codified much tighter windows to phase out fossil fuels.
Corporate Sustainability Trajectories
| Metric / Objective | Scan Global Logistics (SGL) | Hapag-Lloyd |
| Interim Carbon Target | Halve absolute emissions by 2030 | Aggressive fleet modernization / dual-fuel intake |
| Net-Zero Target Horizon | 2050 (Aligned with Science Based Targets 1.5°C) | 2045 (Fleet-wide operations net-zero) |
| Fleet Asset Base | Asset-light global forwarding network | 302 container ships (2.5 million TEU capacity) |
| Core Decarbonization Lever | Low Carbon Logistics Solution Catalogue | Ship Green “Mass Balance” biofuel stems |
Commercial Drivers in the Freight Market
The move comes at a time when major multinational retailers and industrial manufacturers are demanding operational, turnkey carbon reductions rather than greenwashed public relations. By embedding biofuel allocations directly into freight contracts, SGL allows shippers to achieve immediate, auditable carbon reductions without forcing any changes to their underlying physical distribution networks, warehousing setups, or container loading protocols.
With Hapag-Lloyd commanding a massive maritime footprint, encompassing 133 liner services connecting 600 ports globally alongside equity stakes in 24 marine terminals, the partnership provides the structural scale required to make biofuel options readily accessible to mid-market cargo owners, signaling a maturity in how green freight is bought and sold.
About Hapag-Lloyd
Hapag-Lloyd is one of the world’s leading liner shipping companies, operating a highly modernized fleet of 302 container ships with a total transport capacity of 2.5 million TEU. The container shipping giant maintains a presence through 400 offices across 140 countries, supported by a global workforce of approximately 19,600 employees. Its extensive liner network consists of 133 worldwide services connecting more than 600 ports across all continents, while managing a container capacity of 3.6 million TEU, including one of the industry’s most advanced reefer fleets.
Through its expanding Terminal & Infrastructure segment, Hapag-Lloyd holds equity stakes in 24 strategic marine terminals across Europe, Latin America, the United States, India, and North Africa, positioning itself as an infrastructure leader aggressively working toward achieving entirely net-zero fleet operations by 2045.
About Scan Global Logistics (SGL)
Scan Global Logistics is a leading global full-service freight forwarding and logistics provider dedicated to uncomplicating the world of supply chain management. Operating across six continents with a robust footprint in the world’s major economies and emerging markets, SGL maintains a network of over 200 offices and employs more than 5,100 professionals.
The company delivers highly customized, end-to-end transport architecture encompassing air, ocean, rail, road, and complex warehousing. Deeply committed to environmental sustainability, SGL has anchored its climate strategy in Science Based Targets to help limit global warming to 1.5°C, offering commercial cargo owners an advanced portfolio of low-carbon logistics solutions to structurally reduce absolute corporate emissions.
Source: Scan Global Logistics