Cathay Cargo and DB Schenker jointly held a signing ceremony on Oct. 8 at the airline’s Cathay City headquarters to mark the global forwarder’s membership of the Cathay Corporate Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Programme.

Attended by Cathay Director Cargo Tom Owen and DB Schenker Vice President Global Carrier Relation Susanne Stemmer, the ceremony marked DB Schenker’s stride forward in July to become the biggest contributor to the programme, underscoring both parties’ commitment to reducing carbon emissions.

Speaking at the ceremony, Owen said, “We are delighted to welcome DB Schenker here not only as the newest member of the Cathay Corporate SAF Programme, but also as its biggest contributor. It is great to have this level of support from such an important player in the air cargo industry as we work together to decarbonize aviation. This ceremony marks our appreciation for DB Schenker’s significant contribution to our collective efforts to fly Greener Together.”

The Cathay Corporate SAF Programme was established in 2022 to help tackle climate change. It enables members to purchase SAF for uplift on Cathay Pacific and Cathay Cargo flights from Hong Kong and other ports on the network. By joining and committing to buy 878 metric tons of SAF (equivalent to 290,000 US gallons), DB Schenker will help reduce more than 2,600 metric tons in carbon emissions.

SAF, which can reduce more than 80% of greenhouse gas emissions on a life-cycle basis compared to conventional jet fuel, is a crucial tool for the aviation industry to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. As such, Cathay Pacific and Cathay Cargo have committed to using SAF for 10% of their jet fuel consumption by 2030. The initiative goes hand in hand with Cathay Cargo’s Fly Greener programme, which offers carbon offsetting through Gold Standard certified community and environmental projects.

DB Schenker first adopted SAF for a proportion of its transport volumes in 2020 as part of its carbon-reduction programme. DB Schenker Global Air Freight Sustainability Manager Alexander Mentgen said, “SAF is making change possible already today. Our new SAF alliance with Cathay Cargo enhances our sustainability commitment and leadership in the skies.”

Speaking at the event, DB Schenker Vice President Global Carrier Relation Susanne Stemmer added: “We are very excited about this collaboration with Cathay Cargo, which will contribute to a more sustainable future for our industry and enhance our long-lasting global partnership with Cathay.”