Welcoming Julien Dufour as Senior Partner and Board Member at VURDHAAN

VURDHAAN is pleased to welcome Julien Dufour as Senior Partner and Board Member. His appointment strengthens our capacity to support clients navigating the real-world complexity of transport decarbonisation, sustainability strategy, regulatory compliance, and global policy change.

Julien brings 25 years of international experience across environmental auditing, sustainability, and corporate strategy, with work spanning more than 70 countries.

A proven builder in aviation and maritime sustainability

Julien is best known as the founder of Normec Verifavia, an environmental auditing organisation specialising in greenhouse gas emissions verification for the aviation and maritime sectors. Under his leadership, the organisation scaled into a truly global platform, serving clients in over 120 countries.

Key highlights from his track record include:

• Building an independent emissions verification platform serving more than 500 airlines worldwide
• Expanding maritime verification services to 1,000+ ships globally
• Driving continuous improvements in verification tools, methodologies and sustainability assessment frameworks
• Speaking at 50+ international conferences on aviation and maritime sustainability

In 2022, Julien transitioned from executive management while continuing to serve as a board member.

Convening the conversation in aviation sustainability

Julien is also a co-founder of Aviation Carbon, a global conference series on sustainability in aviation, hosted annually at London Heathrow since 2012.

Over time, Aviation Carbon has become a key international forum for dialogue and collaboration. Past events have brought together 500+ participants from 60+ countries, including representatives from 120+ airlines and business jet operators, alongside regulators, policymakers, and carbon market experts.

Broader leadership across humanitarian action and geopolitics

More recently, Julien has dedicated part of his leadership to humanitarian action, geopolitics, and peacebuilding. He is President of Frontlines for Peace, supporting independent field missions and initiatives aimed at saving lives and building peace in conflict-affected regions.

What Julien’s appointment means for VURDHAAN

As Senior Partner and Board Member, Julien will support VURDHAAN in three key areas:

1. Practical, implementation-ready expertise

His background in aviation and maritime GHG verification brings a rigorous, evidence-based approach, ensuring recommendations are measurable, audit-ready, and grounded in operational realities.

2. Strong insight into regulation and carbon markets

Through his role as co-founder of Aviation Carbon, Julien offers first-hand understanding of evolving policy frameworks, compliance requirements, and market dynamics affecting transport decarbonisation.

3. Global perspective and convening power

With experience across more than 70 countries, Julien enhances VURDHAAN’s international reach, partnerships, and thought leadership, while bringing a grounded view of risk and resilience in a changing global environment.

We are delighted to welcome Julien to VURDHAAN, and look forward to the work ahead.

New Regulations Kickstart Cleaner Skies

On 1 January 2026 Thailand will introduce mandatory blending of sustainable aviation fuel in all Jet A1 sold nationwide. The Department of Energy Business has created three clear fuel categories so suppliers and airlines can transition smoothly: classic Jet A1, co processed fuel, and a blend of Jet A1 with neat SAF. Only SAF that follows ASTM D7566 and is produced with hydroprocessed esters and fatty acids technology will qualify. By mirroring global benchmarks Thailand guarantees that every litre uplifted at its airports will satisfy the same specifications used by leading carriers in Europe and North America.

Local Projects Already Underway

Domestic capacity is building fast. Bangchak Corporation is constructing a facility that will transform used cooking oil into one million litres of SAF each day, while PTT Global Chemical is already delivering sixteen thousand litres daily through co processing. Because both projects rely on a widely available waste product, they reduce reliance on imported crude and create new revenue for restaurant chains that previously paid to dispose of oil.

A Non-Obvious Supply Chain Benefit

An often overlooked outcome of mandatory blending is that it encourages airports to modernise fuel storage early. Separate tanks for neat SAF prevent cross contamination and open the door for future biofuels in ground service equipment as well. The same pipeline upgrades that carry blended jet fuel could later distribute renewable diesel to catering trucks and baggage tractors, multiplying the climate gains without additional construction.

Conclusion

Thailand is pairing clear policy signals with immediate investment, positioning itself as a Southeast Asian hub for sustainable flight. As production scales and infrastructure modernises, travellers can expect lower carbon journeys that also support local circular economies.

Source – Travel And Tour World

Clear policy signals now in force

From 1 January 2026 every litre of Jet A1 sold in Thailand must contain at least one percent sustainable aviation fuel. The Department of Energy Business has issued detailed specifications for three categories of jet fuel covering conventional kerosene, co processing streams and blends that meet ASTM D7566 standards. Early volumes will come from HEFA technology that transforms used cooking oil into renewable hydrocarbons recognised by aircraft manufacturers.

Domestic capacity accelerating

Two early movers are leading the charge. Bangchak Corporation is completing a plant able to produce one million litres a day, while PTT Global Chemical is already supplying commercial volumes from a co processing line. Feedstock collection programs linking restaurants, food factories and waste hauliers are rapidly expanding, turning a disposal cost into a new income stream.

Why starting at one percent matters

A modest target offers a powerful benefit. Refineries, pipeline operators and airports gain a low risk opportunity to test logistics, metering and certification systems before larger percentages arrive. Each data point gathered will improve the accuracy of Thailand greenhouse gas inventory, a detail often overlooked when discussing blend mandates.

Alignment with international momentum

The rule echoes measures in Europe and the United States, giving Thai airlines an advantage ahead of upcoming International Civil Aviation Organization milestones. Financial tools under review such as excise relief and green loans are expected to keep ticket prices competitive even as renewable content grows.

Non-obvious insight

Thailand exports significant quantities of culinary oil. The new domestic demand for used oil enables logistics firms to backhaul waste streams instead of returning empty, thereby improving truck utilisation and cutting overall freight emissions.

Conclusion

By embedding sustainable fuel into routine operations Thailand turns ambition into action. The pragmatic one percent launch point paired with expanding capacity positions the country as a Southeast Asian frontrunner on the journey toward low emission flight.

Source – SustaiNation

From policy to practice

Newly appointed IMO Secretary General Arsenio Dominguez has declared 2026 the year of implementation. Rather than drafting more resolutions, the organisation will concentrate on delivering visible results under the theme From Policy to Practice Powering Maritime Excellence. The shift promises clearer timelines for stakeholders ranging from flag states to port authorities.

Modernising seafarer competence

Nearly two million professionals work at sea, and their roles are evolving quickly. The planned revision of the STCW Convention will incorporate training on alternative fuels such as methanol and ammonia, along with remote operation and data analytics. Early engagement with maritime academies should prevent curriculum gaps and ensure cadets graduate ready to manage tomorrow vessels.

Non-obvious insight

Updating the STCW framework will likely influence insurance premiums. Underwriters use crew qualification criteria when calculating risk. Faster dissemination of new competencies around alternative fuels could therefore translate into lower coverage costs for early adopter shipowners, improving the business case for green retrofits.

Advancing decarbonisation

Member states reaffirm the target of net zero greenhouse gas emissions by mid century with intermediate checkpoints under discussion. Technical guidelines for life cycle assessment of fuels are expected by mid year, assisting shipowners in comparing pathways without extensive in house modelling. At the same time the IMO will continue coordinating its voluntary cooperation platform that matches developing countries with donor funded pilot projects.

Autonomous technologies on the horizon

Completion of a mandatory code for Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships will provide clarity on responsibility, communication protocols and collision avoidance standards. Clear rules are essential for ports evaluating mixed traffic scenarios involving both crewed and remote vessels.

Conclusion

The 2026 agenda signals a decisive move from aspiration to execution. By coupling updated human skills with concrete regulatory tools, the IMO aims to accelerate innovation while safeguarding safety and environmental stewardship across global shipping lanes.

Source – Maritime Activity Reports

Partnership overview

Cathay Group has signed a multi year agreement with Neste that secures a steady supply of Neste MY Sustainable Aviation Fuel for operations in Europe, the United States and Asia Pacific. Blended with conventional jet fuel, the product is already powering Cathay Pacific flights departing Amsterdam and Los Angeles, while supporting Air Hong Kong cargo services from Singapore Changi. The arrangement reinforces Cathay ambition to achieve net zero emissions by 2050.

How the logistics work

SAF produced at Neste facilities is shipped to regional terminals, blended under international standards, then certified before uplift. This end to end model removes complexity for airlines and lets Cathay purchase carbon savings outright, without developing bespoke infrastructure at every airport.

Impact beyond numbers

Although initial volumes represent a small portion of overall demand, the move sends a signal to refiners and financiers that consistent offtake exists across three continents. That confidence can unlock larger batch production and lower unit costs faster than isolated national programmes. Other carriers can purchase remaining blend capacity, further multiplying environmental impact.

Non-obvious insight

Cargo operations often run higher load factors than passenger flights, meaning every tonne of SAF used by Air Hong Kong reduces more emissions per flight hour. By targeting freighter routes early, Cathay gains disproportionate climate dividends while maintaining supply chain reliability.

Next steps

Cathay is inviting corporate customers to join its Fly Greener scheme, allowing firms to purchase SAF in proportion to their travel footprints. Combined with fleet renewal and operational efficiencies, the airline expects to cut lifecycle emissions intensity by over twenty percent within this decade.

Conclusion

The Cathay Neste alliance exemplifies how coordinated procurement can speed up aviation decarbonisation well before novel aircraft technologies arrive. By demonstrating practical supply chains today, the partners are laying foundations for a wider global SAF market.

Source – Cathay Group

Why pooling matters

Under the rule, ship operators earn compliance points when voyages use low greenhouse gas energy. Points can be transferred within fleets or between partners, transforming emissions management into a tradable resource. By entering a multi segment pool, Avin can offset occasional shortfalls with surpluses generated by other members such as Bore and Neste, smoothing cash flow and protecting charter rates.

A commercial insight

A less obvious benefit is charter negotiation leverage. Pool membership provides verified emissions data across a diversified fleet, giving Avin stronger evidence when requesting green premiums from cargo owners that wish to lower scope three footprints. In a market where emissions visibility is rapidly becoming a buying criterion, shared data can be as valuable as physical fuel savings.

Technology alignment

Avin continues investing in modern tonnage, including an ammonia ready Suezmax tanker. Pool participation therefore complements, rather than replaces, technology progress. Ahti Climate supplies decision dashboards that connect regulatory targets with practical levers such as speed optimisation and fuel selection, helping crews translate rules into daily routines.

Growing momentum

Analysts expect similar pooling frameworks to proliferate as FuelEU targets tighten through 2030. Banks applaud the model because collective performance reduces risk, potentially lowering financing costs for upgrades such as wind assist devices and alternative fuel systems. Early movers like Avin are establishing reputational capital that could influence cargo allocation on EU routes.

Conclusion

By coupling advanced ships with a collaborative compliance pool, Avin International turns regulation into strategic advantage while moving European tanker trade toward lower emissions.

Source – Breakbulk.News

Building a European Electric Locomotive Platform

KKR will acquire a majority stake in Vienna based Green Mobility Partners, releasing capital to modernise rail fleets across the continent. Founded in two thousand twenty four, the company leases Siemens Vectron locomotives on long term contracts, allowing operators to adopt electric traction without major upfront cost.

Deal Snapshot

• Investment comes through KKR infrastructure funds focused on energy transition
• Founder Christoph Katzensteiner and his team will continue leading operations
• Closing is expected after routine regulatory approvals

Non-Obvious Insight: Leases Multiply Incentives

Public programmes often subsidise only a portion of new locomotives. A leasing model stretches those incentives by circulating each financed asset through several contracts during its life, multiplying the climate impact of every euro of support and accelerating network wide electrification.

Decarbonisation Impact

Rail already emits far less than road freight, yet thousands of diesel units remain in service. KKR estimates that replacing one hundred of them with electric models could avoid nearly four hundred thousand tonnes of carbon dioxide over ten years. Electrified freight also frees grid renewable power during off peak night hours. The firm has committed more than thirty one billion dollars to transition infrastructure, bringing experience and scale to the challenge.

Growth Strategy

Fresh capital will fund additional Vectron orders and selective acquisitions of smaller lessors, building a truly pan European pool. Larger fleet volumes should unlock purchase discounts, enabling lower lease rates that entice more operators to switch.

Conclusion

By combining deep infrastructure capital with an agile leasing specialist, KKR and Green Mobility Partners create a powerful catalyst for cleaner rail transport across Europe.

Source – ESG News

Why the Agreement Matters

DHL Express has signed a binding offtake contract with Finnish producer Neste for fifty million litres of Sustainable Aviation Fuel delivered during 2026. By arranging supply ahead of the ReFuelEU Aviation mandate, the company guarantees volume and cost predictability at a moment when many carriers are still planning their approach. This forward thinking move positions DHL to keep freight moving while pursuing its net zero roadmap.

Compliance and Competitive Advantage

Beginning January 2026 all jet fuel distributed at European airports must contain a rising minimum share of SAF. Analysts expect demand to outpace near term production. DHL has therefore shifted from reactive purchasing toward long range procurement. The move secures three distinct advantages:

• Regulatory readiness that eliminates last minute compliance pressures
• Budget certainty insulated from possible price spikes when quotas rise
• Credibility with customers requesting carbon informed logistics

A non-obvious insight emerges early movers can treat confirmed emission reductions as strategic inventory. Similar to spare aircraft parts, guaranteed litres of low carbon fuel carry optionality. They support future operations or can be reassigned through pooling agreements, creating a secondary market for SAF entitlements.

Building Toward Broader Net Zero Goals

The company intends to source more than thirty percent of all transport energy from sustainable alternatives by 2030. Parallel initiatives include electrifying most last mile vehicles and using data guided flight planning to improve payload efficiency. The new contract with Neste complements these efforts by targeting the highest emitting segment of the network, intercontinental air.

Market Signals

Global SAF production doubled during the past two years but still represents less than one percent of total aviation fuel. Long range contracts like this one encourage producers to finance additional refineries and feedstock collection, accelerating the climb toward meaningful scale.

Conclusion

This proactive purchase by DHL demonstrates how regulation can spark collaboration that benefits both climate and commerce. Forward contracting turns sustainability into a measurable business advantage while giving fuel makers confidence to expand.

Source – CarbonCredits

Renewed Legislative Focus

Minnesota lawmakers are expected to revisit a tax credit proposal aimed at accelerating Sustainable Aviation Fuel production and use across the state. The measure gained broad support during the previous session but did not reach the final vote. Advocates, including the Minnesota Biofuels Association, remain confident that momentum and bipartisan interest will translate into success in 2026.

Why Incentives Matter

SAF currently costs more than traditional jet fuel because commercial scale plants are still expanding. A state credit can narrow this gap, giving airlines and fuel blenders a clear financial reason to commit long term contracts that underpin new facilities. The approach mirrors renewable electricity incentives that helped solar and wind industries reach cost parity over the past decade.

Economic Upside for Agriculture

Minnesota is a leading producer of corn and soybeans, both sources for next generation fuels. By stimulating local SAF demand, the state can:

• Generate higher value markets for crop-based feedstocks
• Create construction and operations jobs within rural communities
• Retain transportation revenue at home rather than importing fossil fuel

A non-obvious insight is that aviation demand is less seasonal than road fuel usage. Continuous offtake could stabilize plant utilization rates, smoothing cash flow for producers and allowing better prices for farmers year-round.

Aligning with Federal Action

At the national level representatives from nearby Kansas and Nebraska have introduced the Securing Americas Fuels Act, designed to complement state programs with additional funding and guidance. Coordination between state and federal incentives can give developers confidence to pursue multi facility strategies, ultimately building a Midwestern SAF corridor that benefits carriers flying hub routes through Minneapolis Saint Paul.

Conclusion

By revisiting a targeted tax credit Minnesota positions itself as a front runner in the growing market for low carbon aviation fuel. Proactive policy, strong agricultural resources, and regional collaboration offer a compelling formula for sustainable economic development.

Source – BrownfieldAgNews

Partnership Overview

Siemens Mobility has awarded DHL Supply Chain a long term contract to distribute critical train components from modern distribution centers in Kettering and Goole to maintenance depots across the United Kingdom. The agreement spans routine deliveries as well as rapid same day shipments that keep passenger services running smoothly.

Sustainability at the Core

Seventy percent of the dedicated DHL fleet already operates on hydrotreated vegetable oil, delivering around eighty percent lower carbon intensity compared with conventional diesel. The remaining vehicles will transition during the next twelve months, making this one of the first rail supply chains in Britain powered entirely by renewable fuel.

Digital Visibility Advantages

DHL will orchestrate every movement through its Connected Control Tower in Tamworth. By integrating live telematics and order data, Siemens planners gain up to the minute insight into part locations, lead times and route efficiency. This transparency enables proactive decision making that minimises inventory buffers yet safeguards service reliability.

Economic Impact

Moving to HVO also yields tangible financial gains. Because the fuel burns cleaner, engines require fewer DPF regenerations and oil changes, cutting maintenance expenses by up to ten percent. Reduced idling time from optimised routing adds further savings, proving that green strategies can directly strengthen the bottom line.

A Non-Obvious Insight

When logistics data illustrates pattern changes in component demand, Siemens maintenance teams can adjust inspection intervals before faults arise. This predictive link between transport analytics and asset management transforms the supply chain from a cost center into a performance enhancer, reducing unplanned downtime without adding extra staff or vehicles.

Conclusion

The partnership unites advanced fuel strategy and data driven execution to set a fresh benchmark for rail logistics. By combining renewable energy, real time visibility and collaborative planning, Siemens Mobility and DHL Supply Chain are creating a resilient blueprint that can inspire wider adoption across the transport sector.

Source – Global Railway Review