LATAM Cargo Group has awarded logistics provider, Quick Cargo Service (QCS), a prize for its commitment to climate protection. Specifically, QCS has financed a large allocation of Sustainable Aviation Fuel, which LATAM Cargo blends with Jet A-1 kerosene on flights carrying QCS shipments. This is already the second time the Frankfurt-based agent has received an award from the South American cargo carrier for its environmental commitment.
In this case, the airline is crediting the contribution of 24,000 liters of SAF for flights between Europe and Brazil through the book & claim tool. Quick Cargo’s initiative demonstrates its commitment to decarbonizing air cargo transportation through the use of alternative fuels, which reduces greenhouse gas emissions by up to 75% compared to conventional Jet A-1 fuel. This was equivalent to avoiding emissions of 55.8 metric tons of CO2, of which 46 tons of CO2e were flight-related emissions, according to a press release issued by LATAM Cargo. It equals 7% of the emissions generated by the joint operation over the projected 21-week period. A year ago, the logistics provider had already financed larger quantities of SAF, aimed at reducing its own carbon footprint when transporting air freight consignments aboard LATAM aircraft across the South Atlantic.
Major customer
“When it comes to shipment volumes on the FRA-GRU route, we are one of LATAM Cargo’s top three agents in the German market, despite fierce competition from the big boys,” says QCS CEO, Stefan Haltmayer. There were weeks when QCS even ranked first, the executive told CargoForwarder Global. This was confirmed upon inquiry by Jorge Carretero, Sales Director for Central Europe at LATAM Cargo. “The shipment volumes brought in by QCS have grown significantly in recent times,” which has contributed to strengthening the existing partnership.
LATAM is the top freight carrier between Europe and South America
The South American airline operates the route daily using B777 passenger aircraft, which offer abundant space in the jetliner’s lower decks. There are also flights from Madrid and Lisbon taking off to Sao Paulo and other destinations in Brazil and beyond. “In contrast to the passenger services, our freighters fly from Frankfurt to Viracopos,” notes the manager.
So far, it has primarily been large logistics companies that have entered into SAF agreements with airlines to reduce their carbon footprint. This was most recently the case with DHL and IAG Cargo.
Often, these contracts are co-financed by small and medium-sized agents, which take on quotas from large orders and pay for these volumes out of their own pockets.
Pioneering step
This keeps the cost burden manageable for the individual players. After all, SAF costs four to five times as much as traditional jet fuel.
While Quick Cargo Service is not a pioneer, it is one of the first medium-sized companies to have booked an SAF quota on its own account without relying on a major agent, as evidenced by its partnership with LATAM Cargo.
In this case, the SAF used is produced from alternative feedstocks, such as animal fats. Given its limited global availability, broader adoption requires mechanisms that translate customer climate commitments into concrete, verifiable, and traceable solutions. The collaboration exemplifies that LATAM Cargo acts as an enabler, allowing international logistics partners like QCS to meet climate commitments through a traceable, verifiable, and measurable process, states the carrier.
Without collective efforts – no climate protection
“This agreement with Quick Cargo Service demonstrates that decarbonization is not an individual effort, but a shared commitment: when we work alongside our customers to reduce carbon intensity, we accelerate tangible and measurable transformation across the logistics value chain,” said Cristina Oñate, Vice President of Sustainability and Product at LATAM Cargo Group.
Speaking on behalf of Quick Cargo Service, Patrick Eberhard, Head of Product Management replied: “Quick Cargo Service GmbH is proud to work closely with LATAM Cargo in supporting the development and use of Sustainable Aviation Fuel. Initiatives like this demonstrate how collaboration across the air cargo value chain can help reduce emissions and move our industry toward a more sustainable future.”
