Hapag-Lloyd and global logistics group DSV have signed a two-year framework agreement covering 18,000 tonnes of CO₂e emission reductions generated through the use of sustainable marine fuels.

The Ship Green agreement, which will run from 2026, builds on the companies’ earlier cooperation on second-generation marine biofuels launched in 2022. Under the expanded framework, DSV has contracted verified emission reductions on a well-to-wake basis, produced primarily from waste- and residue-based biofuel feedstocks.

The partners said the structure is the first of its kind to allow the inclusion of alternative sustainable fuel sources alongside second-generation biofuels, creating flexibility as new low-carbon marine fuels become available.

Danny Smolders, managing director, global sales at Hapag-Lloyd, said: "We are very pleased to further strengthen our collaboration with DSV through this agreement. Both companies share a clear ambition to accelerate the decarbonisation of global supply chains. By working closely together, we can turn this ambition into action. This agreement demonstrates how carriers and forwarders can jointly drive meaningful progress and scale lower-emission shipping solutions."

Michael Hollstein, head of ocean product at DSV, commented: "This agreement is an important step in our joint efforts to decarbonise global shipping at a crucial time for the green transition. Sustainable marine fuels are a tangible and scalable solution to reducing CO₂ emissions, and through close collaboration with Hapag-Lloyd, we are enabling our customers to decarbonise their supply chains."

The agreement operates under a book-and-claim chain-of-custody model, allowing customers to claim certified emission reductions regardless of where the physical fuel is consumed. Only emissions savings from sustainable fuels already used within Hapag-Lloyd’s owned and operated fleet are allocated to DSV.

Hapag-Lloyd aims to achieve net-zero fleet operations by 2045, while DSV has committed to reaching net-zero emissions across its own operations and value chain by 2050. The company has used second-generation biofuels for several years and expanded its sustainable fuels portfolio to include biomethane in 2024.

Through its Ship Green programme, Hapag-Lloyd enables customers to claim verified emission reductions by substituting sustainable marine fuels for conventional fossil marine fuel oil.

Hapag-Lloyd operates a fleet of 305 container vessels with a combined transport capacity of 2.5 million TEU and 12-month bunker consumption of 4.9 million tonnes, according to company data.