Blockbuster Partnership: CMA CGM Teams Up with Major Freight Forwarder

Recently, DHL Global Forwarding, the freight forwarding division of DHL, has entered into a new partnership with French shipping giant CMA CGM. Together, they are committed to reducing carbon emissions in global container shipping, accelerating the industry's transition to green fuels, and supporting deep decarbonization of global supply chains. As part of this collaboration, both parties will jointly utilize 8,990 tons of UCOME (Used Cooking Oil Methyl Ester) second-generation biofuel. UCOME is produced from recycled waste cooking oil and can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 80% compared to conventional fuels. The CMA CGM Group will physically bunker this biofuel in its vessel fleet to ensure the effective implementation of emission reduction measures.

Service Model: Helping Customers Decarbonize with Innovative Solutions

DHL's GoGreen Plus service is a carbon reduction solution based on Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), designed to enable customers to directly reduce carbon emissions in air freight logistics. In this collaboration, however, the focus lies primarily on the maritime shipping context. CMA CGM Group’s ACT+ is a comprehensive low-carbon shipping solution that helps customers measure, reduce, and offset the carbon footprint of their sea freight, supporting supply chain decarbonization goals. By integrating DHL’s GoGreen Plus (applied in maritime shipping) with CMA CGM’s ACT+ low-carbon shipping service, the two parties will jointly assist customers in lowering the carbon intensity of their supply chains.
Partnership Milestone: Advancing the Low-Carbon Supply Chain

Casper Ellerbaek, Head of Global Freight Forwarding at DHL, stated, "This collaboration marks another milestone in our journey toward a low-carbon supply chain. By utilizing sustainable marine fuels, we can help our customers achieve their climate goals and drive tangible progress in decarbonization." This partnership will enable DHL's customers to opt for biofuels in their shipments, thereby reducing the climate impact of their international supply chains. While the CO₂ reduction is of an "accounting" or "declarative" nature—meaning the emissions reductions purchased by DHL are not physically linked to the transport of its freight—the agreement is designed to help DHL lower emissions in parts of its value chain, including transportation, that lie beyond its direct control. Olivier Nivoix, Executive Vice President of the Shipping Division at CMA CGM, said, "Our partnership with DHL accelerates the transition toward low-carbon shipping. ACT+ offers a reliable and scalable solution, backed by our vessel fleet."

Since 2008, CMA CGM has reduced the carbon intensity of its shipping activities by 57% through investments in alternative fuels and dual-fuel vessels. As a pioneer in the adoption of biofuels and LNG-powered ships, CMA CGM has long been committed to decarbonization investments. By optimizing operations, diversifying energy sources, and driving technological innovation, the group aims to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. To meet growing customer demand for environmentally responsible supply chains, CMA CGM has launched the ACT+ low-carbon shipping solution. Both parties have expressed their shared commitment to further explore the expansion of low-carbon fuel applications and develop innovative collaborative models, thereby advancing the deep decarbonization of global supply chains and supporting the two companies' goals of achieving climate neutrality by 2050.