LATAM Cargo Ships AquaChile Salmon to US Using Sustainable Aviation Fuel

In a significant step for sustainable logistics in South America, LATAM Cargo Group, in partnership with freight forwarder Andes Integración Logística, has successfully transported 3 metric tons of premium salmon for producer AquaChile from Chile to the United States using Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). The shipment, which occurred on March 7, 2026, achieved a certified 10% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions, demonstrating a viable pathway for decarbonizing the high-value perishable air freight market.

The operation utilized the Book and Claim model, an innovative accounting framework that allows companies to invest in SAF and claim the associated environmental benefits without the fuel needing to be physically present at the departure airport. This model is critical for regions like South America where SAF production and infrastructure are still nascent. By decoupling the physical fuel from its environmental attributes, the system enables immediate action on emissions reduction for cargo clients.

Operational Details and Emissions Reduction

According to a press release from LATAM Cargo Group, the initiative involved the allocation of 350 liters of SAF to the shipment. This allocation directly resulted in a verified reduction of 0.6 tonnes of CO2. The specific SAF used in the program is produced from animal waste residues and offers a 74.7% reduction in lifecycle emissions compared to conventional jet fuel.

The Book and Claim methodology is governed by bodies like the Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials (RSB) to ensure transparency and prevent double-counting. For this shipment, it allowed AquaChile to verifiably reduce its Scope 3 emissions associated with transportation, a key metric for companies targeting environmentally conscious consumer markets in the US and Europe.

Cristina Oñate, Product Sustainability Manager at LATAM Cargo Group, highlighted the collaborative nature of the effort. She stated that the shipment demonstrates that decarbonizing air cargo is possible when the entire logistics chain works together. Jan-Henrik Hertel, Director of Processes at Andes Integración Logística, added that the operation proves the logistics chain can be an active tool for sustainability, moving beyond simple transport to help clients achieve their environmental goals.

Industry Impact and Context

This development aligns with a broader industry trend toward decarbonizing air freight, particularly for time-sensitive, high-margin goods. The precedent for such cargo-specific SAF programs was set by carriers like Air France KLM Martinair Cargo, which launched a program for freight forwarders in December 2020. Similarly, Lufthansa Cargo and DB Schenker began regular SAF-covered freighter flights in April 2021. The LATAM-AquaChile partnership builds on these models, adapting them to the South American export market.

For stakeholders, the impacts are clear. AquaChile enhances its brand's sustainability credentials in key export markets. LATAM Cargo validates its SAF program, positioning itself to attract other premium exporters willing to invest in emissions reduction. The initiative also sends a crucial demand signal to SAF producers, supporting future investment in production capacity that utilizes feedstocks like animal waste.

However, challenges remain. Some environmental groups argue that the Book and Claim model functions more like a carbon offset and can be perceived as greenwashing if not strictly regulated, as it does not reduce emissions on the specific flight carrying the goods. Furthermore, aviation economics analysts point to the high cost of SAF—the 'green premium'—as a significant barrier to widespread adoption, currently limiting its use to high-value cargo.

What Comes Next

The successful shipment is expected to serve as a template for future operations. According to company statements, AquaChile and LATAM Cargo are expected to explore expanding the use of SAF for the producer's European export routes throughout 2026 and 2027. This expansion will depend on client demand and the continued development of verifiable accounting mechanisms.

On a global scale, the industry anticipates the implementation of a harmonized SAF registry. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) is expected to launch its IATA SAF Registry in late 2026. Such a system would further standardize the accounting and verification of SAF transactions worldwide, increasing trust and scalability for programs like the one used by LATAM Cargo.

Why This Matters

This shipment represents more than a single greener delivery; it provides a practical blueprint for how the air cargo industry can address its carbon footprint for high-value goods. It proves that through supply chain collaboration and innovative systems like Book and Claim, logistics providers can offer tangible emissions reductions to their clients today, even in regions where physical SAF supply is scarce. The initiative signals a market-driven shift where sustainability is becoming a key competitive factor in global supply chain management.

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