Hapag-Lloyd has been selected as a winner of the Zero Emission Maritime Buyers Alliance (ZEMBA)’s second tender for ocean shipping using hydrogen-derived e-methanol, marking another milestone in the carrier’s decarbonization strategy.
Under the agreement, ZEMBA members have committed to collectively abate at least 120,000 metric tons of CO₂e over a minimum period of three years, with Hapag-Lloyd expected to deliver the majority of these emissions reductions.
Beginning in 2027, Hapag-Lloyd will deploy e-methanol on a trans-oceanic trade lane using large methanol dual-fuel container ships. The e-methanol will be produced from very low-carbon hydrogen generated using renewable energy and is expected to deliver a minimum 90% reduction in lifecycle carbon intensity compared with conventional high-emission marine fuels.
ZEMBA is a non-profit buyers’ alliance within the maritime sector, comprising more than 45 member companies, including global brands such as Amazon, IKEA and Nike.
The alliance aims to accelerate the commercialization of zero-emission shipping by aggregating demand, enabling economies of scale and maximizing emissions reduction beyond what individual cargo owners could achieve on their own.
“At a time when sourcing scalable e-fuels remains a major challenge for the entire industry, winning the second ZEMBA tender is a significant milestone for us,” said Rolf Habben Jansen, CEO, Hapag-Lloyd.
“Deploying e-methanol is an essential step in our journey to reach net-zero fleet operations by 2045. We are very grateful for the trust that ZEMBA members have placed in our capabilities, and we remain fully committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and contributing to a greener future for global shipping.”
ZEMBA welcomed the announcement as a step forward in enabling real-world deployment of next-generation fuels. “We applaud Hapag-Lloyd for their leadership and technical innovation in response to ZEMBA’s pioneering market signal,” said Ingrid Irigoyen, President and CEO, ZEMBA. “Through collaboration across the maritime value chain, this partnership will enable rapid on-the-water deployment of scalable, next-generation maritime fuels.”
The award follows Hapag-Lloyd’s successful selection in ZEMBA’s inaugural 2024 tender for biomethane and represents the next phase in scaling zero- and near-zero-emission fuel solutions across global container shipping.
