Herzog leads Militzer & Münch Switzerland
May 11, 2026 at 9:13 AM
Hapag-Lloyd and Kuehne+Nagel are intensifying their long-standing partnership and are working together for the first time on emissions-reduced solutions for maritime transport. Under this agreement, Kuehne+Nagel will utilize Hapag-Lloyd’s „Ship Green“ product to reduce the CO₂ footprint of its sea freight transports.
Agreement on Emission Reduction
The agreement represents a significant step in the collaboration between the two companies. From April to December 2026, approximately 3,300 TEU of freight transported on the trade route from East Asia to Northern Europe will fall under this agreement. By using certified bio-based fuels derived from waste and residues, it is expected that around 2,979 tons of CO₂e emissions will be avoided based on the entire lifecycle.
Danny Smolders, Managing Director Global Sales at Hapag-Lloyd, commented on the partnership: „We are proud to elevate our collaboration with Kuehne+Nagel to the next level. With Ship Green, we offer a scalable solution that enables our customers to actively reduce their Scope 3 emissions. This agreement demonstrates how strong partnerships can be translated into tangible climate protection.“
Paolo Montrone, Head of Global Sea Logistics at Kuehne+Nagel, added: „Decarbonizing shipping requires transparency, collaboration, and economically viable solutions. Through strong partnerships, transparent emission data, and enabling Scope 3 reductions, we help our customers navigate in a credible and market-oriented manner aimed at accelerating the use of alternative fuels. We look forward to expanding our collaboration with Hapag-Lloyd to realize this.“
Mechanism for Emission Reduction
The agreement is based on a book-and-claim mechanism that allows customers to claim verified emission reductions, regardless of the physical fuel allocation to specific ships or routes. Only the emission reductions from biofuels used in Hapag-Lloyd’s fleet will be attributed to Kuehne+Nagel. This model enables scalable climate protection measures and utilizes bio-based fuels as a transitional solution.
Both companies have set ambitious climate goals. Hapag-Lloyd aims to achieve a net-zero operational balance for its fleet by 2045, while Kuehne+Nagel is committed to achieving net-zero emissions across its entire value chain by 2050. Providing sustainable logistics solutions for customers is a key lever in achieving these goals.
Through collaboration and the use of sustainable maritime fuels, as well as the book-and-claim approach, Kuehne+Nagel and Hapag-Lloyd contribute to the transformation of the shipping industry towards a more sustainable future and energy sovereignty.
