The Zero Emission Maritime Buyers Alliance (ZEMBA) announced on October 23, 2026, that it has concluded its first tender with the maritime transport company Hapag-Lloyd. This tender successfully achieved a reduction of 82,000 tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (mtCO2e) in 2025 and 2026.
Tender Details and Greenhouse Gas Emission Reductions
The mentioned reductions resulted from the use of liquid biomethane (LBM) on eight international voyages under 17 contracts between Hapag-Lloyd and ZEMBA members. This German company managed to replace conventional fuels with lower-emission options.
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In this collaboration, Hapag-Lloyd utilized waste-based LBM on some of its dual-fuel ships capable of using liquefied natural gas (LNG). This initiative has contributed to reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from source to destination.
Additionally, Hapag-Lloyd allocated certificates related to the environmental attributes that represented the emission reductions from these voyages to ZEMBA members through a book-and-claim mechanism.
Book-and-Claim Mechanism and ZEMBA Members
The book-and-claim mechanism allows cargo owners to claim emission reductions by paying a premium for lower-emission transport services, even if their cargo is shipped on vessels using conventional marine fuels. ZEMBA members include major cargo owners such as Amazon, Nike, IKEA, and Patagonia.
Furthermore, ZEMBA has awarded its second tender to Hapag-Lloyd and the Norwegian shipping company North Sea Container Line (NCL). Fuel deliveries are set to begin in 2027. Hapag-Lloyd is expected to use electronic methanol on a transoceanic route, while NCL will utilize green ammonia on a northern European route.
Both fuels are produced using green hydrogen generated from renewable energy, and it is anticipated that the emission reductions over their lifecycle will be at least 90% compared to conventional marine fuels. ZEMBA predicts that these two companies will collectively reduce approximately 120,000 tons of CO2e over three years from 2027.
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