Hapag-Lloyd and North Sea Container Line (NCL) have emerged as winners of the Zero Emission Maritime Buyers Alliance (ZEMBA) second freight tender, marking a significant step forward in the commercial deployment of zero-emission fuels in container shipping.
Under the second ZEMBA tender, which focused specifically on accelerating the use of e-fuels, Hapag-Lloyd secured the award for e-methanol-powered deep-sea services, while NCL was selected for an e-ammonia-fuelled regional container operation. The fuel supply and shipping services are expected to commence from 2027.
Hapag-Lloyd’s bid involves the use of e-methanol on large dual-fuel container vessels operating on long-haul trade routes, reinforcing the carrier’s position as one of the early movers in alternative marine fuels. This marks the German carrier’s second consecutive ZEMBA win, following its earlier selection in the alliance’s inaugural tender, which centred on bio-based fuels.
Meanwhile, NCL’s award is notable for introducing e-ammonia into commercial container shipping, with the company planning to deploy what is expected to be the world’s first ammonia-fuelled container vessel on a Northern European trade. The project is widely viewed as a critical test case for ammonia as a scalable zero-carbon fuel for short-sea and regional shipping.
Combined, the two contracts are expected to secure tens of thousands of tonnes of e-methanol and e-ammonia, delivering lifecycle greenhouse gas reductions of up to 90% compared with conventional marine fuels. ZEMBA estimates the initiative will help its cargo-owning members abate well over 100,000 tonnes of CO₂-equivalent emissions during the initial contract period.
ZEMBA brings together major global cargo owners seeking to decarbonise their maritime supply chains by aggregating demand for low- and zero-emission shipping. By offering long-term demand certainty, the alliance aims to unlock investment in fuel production, vessel technology and bunkering infrastructure that has so far limited large-scale adoption of e-fuels.
The outcome of the second tender sends a strong market signal that e-methanol and e-ammonia are moving from pilot projects to early commercial reality, even as global regulatory frameworks for shipping decarbonisation continue to evolve.
Industry observers say the awards underline growing confidence among select carriers to commit to advanced fuels ahead of mandatory emissions targets, positioning them favourably for future carbon pricing and regulatory compliance.
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