LATAM Cargo Group and Andes Integración Logística have completed a lower-emissions airfreight shipment of premium salmon from Chile to the United States, marking a milestone in the application of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) within South America’s perishable export sector.
The shipment, carried out on 7 March 2026 for AquaChile, incorporated more than 350 litres of SAF through a Book and Claim model, enabling a certified 10% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions associated with the air transport. The cargo consisted of over three tonnes of premium salmon destined for international markets.
First certified Book and Claim application in South American perishables
The initiative represents the first instance in South America where a certified emissions reduction has been applied to an international premium salmon shipment using the Book and Claim methodology. This mechanism allows companies to claim the environmental benefits of SAF without requiring the fuel to be physically used on the specific flight transporting the cargo.
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Through this approach, the environmental benefit—equivalent to approximately 0.6 tonnes of CO₂—was allocated to the shipment in a traceable and verified manner. The SAF used in the programme was produced from animal waste residues and, based on established methodologies, delivers emissions reductions of around 74.7% compared to conventional fossil-based jet fuel.
Coordinated approach across the supply chain
The operation combined the air transport capabilities of LATAM Cargo Group with the sustainability framework provided by Andes Integración Logística, implemented through its CaRe programme. This collaboration ensured both execution and traceability of emissions reductions across the logistics chain.
The companies emphasised that the project demonstrates how coordinated efforts between airlines, freight forwarders, and exporters can produce measurable sustainability outcomes in air cargo. It also highlights the increasing role of logistics providers in supporting customers’ environmental objectives beyond traditional transport services.
Growing demand for sustainable export solutions
For exporters such as AquaChile, the initiative reflects a broader shift towards integrating sustainability into global supply chains—particularly for high-value, time-sensitive perishables shipped to key markets such as the United States.
The companies involved indicated that such solutions not only reduce environmental impact but also contribute to improving supply chain efficiency and transparency. As sustainability requirements from regulators and customers continue to intensify, demand for verifiable emissions reduction mechanisms is expected to grow.
Scaling SAF adoption in South America
The project is seen as a potential blueprint for scaling SAF adoption across additional trade lanes linking South America with major consumption markets, including North America and Europe. However, stakeholders noted that the availability and development of SAF supply in the region will be critical to enabling wider adoption.
By leveraging Book and Claim frameworks, the industry can accelerate uptake even in regions where physical SAF supply remains limited, providing a pathway for immediate emissions reductions while infrastructure continues to evolve.
The initiative underscores the growing momentum behind SAF as a key decarbonisation tool in air cargo and signals increasing collaboration across the logistics ecosystem to deliver tangible environmental benefits.
