DHL and Henkel Team Up to Boost Use of Sustainable Marine Fuel

DHL Global Forwarding and consumer and industrial goods leader Henkel are expanding a joint effort aimed at cutting ocean freight emissions through wider use of Sustainable Marine Fuel (SMF).

The agreement marks a significant escalation of their climate-action cooperation, targeting deeper decarbonization of supply chains and ocean shipping.

Under the arrangement, DHL will deploy its GoGreen Plus service for most of Henkel’s ocean freight volumes in 2025. The sustainable marine fuels to be used are primarily derived from waste and residues.

Rather than using them only on particular ships, the scheme employs a Book & Claim mechanism: DHL will procure SMF, add to its overall fuel mix, and allocate the resulting emissions reductions to Henkel. Even if Henkel’s specific shipments do not physically travel on vessels using SMF, they can claim the environmental benefits.

Emission Reductions and Scale

The numbers are sizeable. DHL and Henkel estimate the joint effort will cut approximately 4,700 metric tons of CO₂ equivalent (well-to-wake) in 2025. The scope includes roughly 9,000 TEUs of ocean freight. Most of the shipments involved originate in Europe.

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This builds on a pilot phase in 2024, when DHL and Henkel tested SMF on selected volumes. The success of that pilot has paved the way for broader deployment in 2025.

Purpose and Implications

For both companies, this move is part of a broader climate strategy. Henkel has been pushing to reduce the emissions associated with its supply chain logistics.

Amanda Rasmussen, Chief Commercial Officer at DHL Global Forwarding said: “By combining Henkel’s ambitious climate strategy with our sustainable logistics solutions, we are demonstrating that progress toward decarbonizing supply chains is possible today.

"We hope this agreement will inspire other companies to transition to low-emission transportation services using Sustainable Marine Fuel.”

Ondrej Slezacek, Global Category Manager Sea & Air Freight, Henkel said: “Working with DHL Global Forwarding on sustainable transport solutions is an important part of our strategy to reduce emissions within our logistics processes.

“Simultaneously, it helps accelerate the overall transition to low-emission logistics in our industry.”

Meanwhile, DHL is using initiatives like GoGreen Plus - which includes SMF along with other low-carbon technologies and modes of transport - to help customers lower their Scope 3 emissions.

By increasing demand for sustainable marine fuels, the partnership not only reduces emissions in their own operations but also helps address a key constraint: availability.

SMFs are still relatively scarce, and scaling production is an industry-wide hurdle. Such partnerships can send market signals needed to boost supply.

Verification & Oversight

To ensure credibility, the emissions reductions will be verified independently by SGS, the global inspection, verification, testing and certification company.

Looking Ahead

The DHL-Henkel agreement joins a growing roster of logistics and manufacturing firms exploring sustainable fuels, particularly marine biofuels, to meet regulatory, investor, and societal expectations around climate action.

While SMF is not yet universally available or cost-competitive with fossil marine fuels, mechanisms like Book & Claim make it possible to make progress now.

Henkel wants this collaboration to accelerate its aim to reduce logistics-related emissions and help in leading a shift in the logistics industry toward low-emission solutions.

DHL, for its part, is reinforcing that sustainable fuel options are more than experimental add-ons. They are becoming core to how ocean freight is moving forward.

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