DHL Express has signed a sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) offtake agreement with Dubai-based SAF One, that will bring long-term supply from the first SAF production facility in the Middle East into its network.
Under the terms of the agreement, DHL Express will secure access to 25,000 metric tonnes of unblended SAF annually from SAF One’s planned production facility in Bahrain – or a total of 250,000 metric tonnes of fuel over a ten year period.
Production at the Bahrain facility is expected to commence in 2028.
According to DHL, the agreement supports its target of increasing SAF use to 30% by the end of the decade. Fuel volumes from the Bahrain plant will also be integrated into its ‘Go Green Plus’ programme, which enables its customers to reduce Scope 3 emissions even on routes not directly fuelled with SAF.
‘Another major step’
“By integrating the first SAF plant in the Middle East into our global supply chain, we are taking another major step toward making sustainable aviation the new normal,” commented Travis Cobb, EVP global network operations and aviation, DHL Express.
“This agreement not only expands our SAF footprint geographically but also strengthens our resilience by diversifying our sourcing. Collaborating with SAF One demonstrates how regional innovation can deliver global climate impact.”
As the companies noted in a statement, the Bahrain facility will use renewable feedstocks and ‘next generation’ refining technologies to produce certified sustainable aviation fuel.
‘Landmark facility’
“We are grateful to DHL Express for entering into this offtake agreement with us, which is an important step toward bringing a landmark sustainable aviation fuel facility to the Middle East.” Added Deepak Munganahalli, co-founder and chief executive of SAF One.
“We would also like to thank all stakeholders in Bahrain who actively supported this project, including BAPCO Energies and the Bahrain Economic Development Board.” Read more here.
