Hapag-Lloyd and Kuehne+Nagel launch sustainable shipping partnership

Hapag-Lloyd and Kuehne+Nagel have launched their first joint sustainable ocean shipping initiative using Sustainable Marine Fuels (SMF).

Under the agreement, Kuehne+Nagel will use Hapag-Lloyd’s “Ship Green” product to reduce emissions from ocean freight shipments.

The pilot project covers approximately 3,300 TEU transported on the East Asia–North Europe trade lane between April and December 2026.

The companies expect the initiative to reduce around 2,979 tonnes of CO₂e emissions on a well-to-wake basis through the use of around 1,000 tonnes of RED III-compliant waste-based biofuel.

Danny Smolders said the agreement demonstrates how partnerships can create measurable climate impact while helping customers reduce Scope 3 emissions.

Paolo Montrone said decarbonizing shipping requires transparency, collaboration and commercially viable solutions.

The agreement uses a book-and-claim chain-of-custody system. This allows customers to claim verified emissions reductions regardless of where the fuel is physically used within Hapag-Lloyd’s fleet.

The companies said the model supports scalable climate action while using waste-based biofuels as a transition solution for the shipping sector.

Hapag-Lloyd targets net-zero fleet operations by 2045, while Kuehne+Nagel aims to achieve net-zero emissions across its value chain by 2050.

Both companies said the partnership supports the wider maritime industry’s transition toward lower-emission shipping and greater energy independence.

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