The Zero Emission Maritime Buyers Alliance (ZEMBA) has chosen two shipping companies to use hydrogen-derived e-fuels, marking a big step forward in reducing emissions in the maritime industry.
Global shipping line Hapag-Lloyd and the regional North Sea Container Line won ZEMBA's second tender, announced on Wednesday. This allows member companies to cut down on emissions from ocean transport by using alternative fuels.
ZEMBA plans for this deployment to cover an initial 20 billion tonne nautical miles of transport over three years. Some members might extend this to five years, leading to a reduction of about 120,000 metric tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions starting in 2027. Companies involved include Amazon, Patagonia, Tchibo, Beiersdorf, Brooks Running, IKEA, Nike, and others.
Under this plan, Hapag-Lloyd will use e-methanol on large dual-fuel containerships operating on trans-oceanic routes. Meanwhile, North Sea Container Line will launch the world's first e-ammonia-powered containership on a northern European trade route. Both fuels will be made using low-carbon hydrogen from renewable sources and aim to reduce carbon intensity by at least 90% compared to traditional high-emission fuels.
“We commend Hapag-Lloyd and North Sea Container Line for their leadership and innovation, showing great response to ZEMBA's market initiative,” said Ingrid Irigoyen, President and CEO of ZEMBA. “This private sector initiative is set to invest in quickly deploying scalable, next-generation maritime fuels.”
This announcement follows Hapag-Lloyd's recent order for eight dual-fuel methanol containerships from Chinese shipbuilder CIMC Raffles, a deal worth over $500 million. This will be the company's first newbuild project using this type of fuel. The 4,500 TEU vessels are set to be delivered in 2028 and 2029 and will feature advanced dual-fuel methanol engines that are expected to be up to 30% more efficient than older ships. When using methanol, these ships are projected to save up to 350,000 metric tons of CO2 emissions each year.
Hapag-Lloyd's current fleet includes 37 dual-fuel LNG ships, either in operation or planned, with the capability to also run on biomethane.
“Winning the second ZEMBA tender is a key milestone for us, especially as sourcing scalable e-fuels remains a challenge for the industry. Implementing e-methanol is a vital step towards our goal of net-zero fleet operations by 2045,” said Rolf Habben Jansen, CEO of Hapag-Lloyd.
Bente Hetland, CEO of North Sea Container Line, echoed this commitment, stating, “We are honored to win the ZEMBA tender alongside Hapag-Lloyd, reaffirming NCL's dedication to creating a sustainable logistics future. With a tailored product for ZEMBA's members eager for real change, NCL will continue to drive the shift toward next-generation maritime fuels.”
This second procurement comes after ZEMBA's first tender in 2024, which focused on waste-based biomethane and was also awarded to Hapag-Lloyd. The latest tender aims specifically at hydrogen-derived e-fuels, to launch a new market for scalable, low-carbon alternatives that are crucial for an economically viable maritime transition to clean energy.
The announcement highlights the importance of verified systems that support early voluntary corporate demand for new technology. ZEMBA continues to work with Katalist, the first nonprofit maritime book and claim system, to connect buyers globally with suppliers ready for deployment, regardless of location.
As a pioneering buyers group in the maritime sector, ZEMBA aims to speed up the commercial use of clean energy shipping and achieve economies of scale that individual freight buyers cannot reach alone. The Aspen Institute Energy and Environment Program serves as the secretariat for ZEMBA, with technical and legal support from the Center for Green Market Activation, Lloyd’s Register Maritime Decarbonization Hub, and law firm Pillsbury.
ZEMBA expects to assess the full impact of its second tender by 2026, as more members finalize contracts with the selected carriers.