Geodis the latest firm to offer SAF-powered flights for airfreight
08 / 09 / 2021
Pressure on the industry to adopt green technologies is growing. Image source: Geodis
Logistics provider Geodis has become the latest company to offer its customers more sustainable transportation options for their airfreight shipments.
Customers can now choose to send shipments on flights partially powered by sustainable aviation fuels (SAF), enabling them to reduce their carbon footprint.
Additionally, the company is offering its customers the option to ship via seafreight using sustainable marine fuel.
“These alternative fuel sources are classified as ‘insetting’ or ‘integrated carbon reduction’ because they occur within the means of transport’s own value chain, unlike conventional carbon offsetting, such as solar panels, wind turbines and tree plantations, which are not involved directly in the operational sphere,” the company said in a statement.
The newly available sustainable airfreight and seafreight options that Geodis is offering are in addition to its road freight option, which is already available to customers.
Philippe de Carné, executive vice president of business development, CSR and innovation at Geodis, commented: “Biofuels are currently the most effective way to significantly reduce the environmental footprint of transport activities.”
“These ‘insetting’ solutions offer our customers the ability to directly impact the global carbon output linked to their shipments by reducing it significantly. Using a ‘Book & Claim’ approach, each customer can opt for a as high a level of contribution as they wish, covering up to 100% of the CO2 emitted by the transport of their shipment.”
Marie-Christine Lombard, chief executive officer at Geodis, added: “The development of biofuel is one of the strategic paths being pursued by Geodis to meet the challenge of carbon neutrality. With these new solutions for air and sea freight, we offer our customers an additional way to decarbonize their entire supply chain.”
SAF and maritime sustainable marine fuels, derived from non-fossil sources, are produced using food and agricultural waste (mainly cooking oil). Their use allows for a reduction in CO2 emissions over the cycle from production to fuel consumption; “at least 80% for air and 90% for sea transport, along with a reduction in other pollutants”.
Other logistics providers and airlines who already have SAF programmes, partnerships or initiatives in place include: Air France KLM Martinair Cargo, United Cargo, Bolloré Logistics, IAG Cargo, Lufthansa Cargo, DB Schenker, American Airline Cargo, CEVA Logistics, Kuehne+Nagel and DHL.
