Supply chain services provider Kuehne+Nagel (K+N) has pointed to its use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) in supporting Mercedes-Benz’s logistics chains into the US for over a year as helping the Germany-headquartered automotive manufacturer to lessen its CO2 emissions by approximately 11,000 tonnes in just the past 12 months.
Switzerland-headquartered K+N has been supporting the car giant’s supply chains into the US, including its plant in Alabama, since 2019.
The use of SAF has actively supported Mercedes-Benz ‘s efforts to decarbonise its supply chain, that 11,000-tonne saving being made when compared to traditional conventional aviation fuel having been used, the forwarder said.
K+N has employed SAF on charter flights of the forwarder’s own Boeing 747-8 freighter aircraft flying from Stuttgart in Germany to Birmingham in Alabama.
Jörg Burzer, member of the board of management of Mercedes-Benz Group AG, production, quality and supply chain management, observed: “Transport logistics is a key part of the automotive value chain.
“By using sustainable aviation fuel for air freight transport, we can reduce emissions along our value chain and take an important step towards net carbon neutrality.”
Heiko Schuhmacher, senior vice president global air logistics at K+N, added: “Our vision of becoming the most trusted logistics partner for a sustainable future by 2030 means that as an industry leader we take our responsibility to support our customers in reducing their CO2 emissions seriously.
“We are proud that this pilot project has developed into a long-term collaboration in the spirit of decarbonisation with a strong partner.”
Changing times
Just a couple of days ago, K+N reported that it has scaled back its cost-cutting programme as it responds to changing market conditions.
The forwarder had originally estimated annual restructuring cost savings net of inflation of around CHF200m, but this has now been reduced to around CHF100m.
Chief financial officer Marcus Blanka said this was in part down to inflation levels falling but also because the cost-cutting project had been scaled back somewhat due to an improved market outlook.
Meanwhile, also earlier this month, it was confirmed that K+N had maintained its position as the world’s leading airfreight forwarder in 2023 ahead of DHL Global Forwarding despite overall market volumes coming under pressure.
Figures produced by consultant Armstrong and Associates showed that top air forwarder K+N last year saw its cargo volumes decline by 11.2% year on year to 2m tonnes – a trend reflected by many of its top rivals.
Kuehne+Nagel eases back on cost cutting programme
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