Henkel and DHL Global Forwarding scale up Sustainable Marine Fuel to cut ocean freight emissions by 4,700 metric tons in 2025

Henkel and DHL Global Forwarding scale up Sustainable Marine Fuel to cut ocean freight emissions by 4,700 metric tons in 2025

(IN BRIEF) Henkel and DHL Global Forwarding are deepening their sustainability partnership by expanding the use of Sustainable Marine Fuel (SMF) for ocean freight under the GoGreen Plus program. Covering around 9,000 TEUs in 2025, the initiative builds on a 2024 pilot and is expected to cut greenhouse gas emissions by roughly 4,700 metric tons of CO2e on a well-to-wake basis, equivalent to an 85 percent reduction compared to conventional marine fuels. Verified by SGS, the program enables Henkel to reduce its Scope 3 logistics emissions while helping scale the availability of sustainable fuels. DHL Global Forwarding applies the Book & Claim system to allocate emissions reductions, ensuring Henkel benefits from SMF even when shipments are not physically transported with it. Executives from both companies underlined that the partnership not only supports Henkel’s climate goals but also helps accelerate the decarbonization of global supply chains.

(PRESS RELEASE) BONN, 18-Sep-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — Henkel and DHL Global Forwarding are intensifying their collaboration on sustainable logistics by significantly increasing the use of Sustainable Marine Fuel (SMF) for Henkel’s global ocean freight. Building on a successful pilot in 2024, the expanded initiative will cover around 9,000 TEUs of ocean freight in 2025 under DHL’s GoGreen Plus service. The move highlights both companies’ shared commitment to reducing supply chain emissions and supporting the transition to low-carbon transport solutions.

The majority of Henkel’s ocean shipments, originating mainly from Europe, will now benefit from waste- and residues-based SMF provided by ocean carriers on behalf of DHL Global Forwarding. Through the Book & Claim system, DHL can replace fossil fuels with SMF within its wider network and allocate the resulting emissions savings to Henkel, even if individual shipments are not physically transported on vessels using the fuel. This approach allows for true value chain decarbonization and helps overcome existing availability limitations of sustainable fuels.

According to DHL Global Forwarding, the expanded use of SMF will reduce Henkel’s transport-related greenhouse gas emissions by an estimated 4,700 metric tons of CO2e in 2025 on a well-to-wake basis. This corresponds to an approximate 85 percent reduction in emissions compared with conventional marine fuel. Independent certification by SGS will verify the emission reductions.

Amanda Rasmussen, Chief Commercial Officer at DHL Global Forwarding, emphasized the importance of the expanded partnership: “This milestone demonstrates how climate ambition and sustainable logistics solutions can come together to decarbonize supply chains today. By scaling up SMF use for Henkel’s ocean freight, we hope to encourage more companies to follow suit.”

Henkel views the collaboration as an integral part of its climate strategy. “Partnering with DHL Global Forwarding on sustainable transport is a key component of reducing emissions in our logistics operations,” said Ondrej Slezacek, Global Category Manager Sea & Air Freight at Henkel. “At the same time, it accelerates the wider adoption of low-emission logistics across our industry.”

The joint initiative sends a strong market signal by demonstrating that large-scale deployment of sustainable fuels is achievable. Through DHL’s GoGreen Plus program, Henkel and DHL are contributing to a stronger foundation for the future of decarbonized transport and helping customers address Scope 3 emissions while advancing their sustainability reporting.

What is GoGreen Plus 

DHL’s GoGreen Plus products provide decarbonized solutions across DHL’s core offerings by leveraging sustainable fuels and low carbon technology. GoGreen Plus products are based on true value chain decarbonization. This is enabled by the ‘book & claim’ approach. Book & claim enables DHL to directly replace fossil fuels with sustainable fuels within the logistic company’s network and allocate environmental benefits to paying customers, even when their shipments are not physically transported with the assets using these fuels. GoGreen Plus allows DHL’s customers to reduce their indirect Scope 3 emissions in their value chain arising from upstream and downstream transportation and distribution. It also helps customers with voluntary reporting of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and progress against their decarbonization targets.

Media contacts:

Claus Korfmacher
DHL (in general), DHL Global Forwarding, DHL Freight

SOURCE: Deutsche Post AG