By Maria Kalamatas – May 9, 2025
Singapore – April 25, 2025 | The race for decarbonization in air cargo is no longer theoretical. In 2025, Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) has officially shifted from pilot phase to operational reality — and the logistics sector is being pushed to catch up.
“We’ve moved from awareness to expectation,” says Johan Richter, Environmental Affairs Director at the International Air Cargo Association (TIACA). “Clients now ask about carbon intensity just as often as cost or transit time.”
The Pressure from Shippers
Major retailers and manufacturers, under regulatory and ESG pressures, are demanding low-emission air freight options. According to DHL Global Forwarding, 1 in 3 corporate customers now factors SAF availability into routing decisions.
“This year, more than 25% of our transatlantic cargo volumes were SAF-backed,” says Anya Lévesque, VP of Sustainability at Kuehne+Nagel. “It’s not a future trend — it’s a competitive standard.”
Investment Takes Flight
Airlines are no longer just testing SAF; they’re integrating it. Lufthansa Cargo has committed to using SAF on all its freighter flights from Frankfurt by Q3 2025. Emirates SkyCargo signed a five-year supply agreement with Neste for blends at Dubai International.
Meanwhile, Singapore Changi Airport has become Asia’s SAF leader with a new multimodal SAF import and blending hub operational since March.
Cost vs. Value
The main barrier remains price — SAF costs 2 to 4 times more than conventional jet fuel. But logistics leaders say the long-term value is undeniable.
“When you account for carbon offsets, reputational risk, and customer demand, SAF is cheaper than doing nothing,” says Lévesque.
Some forwarders are experimenting with voluntary “green premium” models where clients co-finance SAF use in return for certified carbon accounting.
Policy Support Growing
Governments are stepping in. The EU’s RefuelEU mandate now requires airlines to use 6% SAF by 2030. The U.S. Inflation Reduction Act provides SAF production tax credits. And Morocco has just approved its first SAF production feasibility study with the support of the ICAO.
The Bottom Line
Sustainable Aviation Fuel is no longer a technical bet — it’s a strategic imperative. The companies that lead now will define the standards of tomorrow’s air cargo economy.
“SAF isn’t just good for the planet. It’s good business,” concludes Richter.
