ZEMBA launches latest e-fuels tender

Maritime buyers alliance looks to aggregate 86 billion tonne nautical miles of demand

Click to learn more. ZEMBA has launched its second tender process for decarbonized maritime fuels.

The Zero Emission Maritime Buyers Alliance (ZEMBA) has launched its second tender process for decarbonized fuels. Starting in 2027, the tender aims to cover a total of 86 billion tonne nautical miles of cargo demand –  or a total of 1.5 million loaded, twenty-foot shipping containers transported from Shanghai to Los Angeles. Bids are due in the next few months, and interested parties can contact ZEMBA directly to begin the pre-qualification process.

Getting e-fuel-powered shipping on the water for the first time through this collaborative forward procurement will be a huge technical and commercial innovation milestone for the sector. We look forward to receiving bids from container carriers ready to partner with ZEMBA and our freight buyer members to make maritime history.

Ingrid Irigoyen, President and CEO of ZEMBA, in her organisation’s official press release, 25 Feb 2025

Proposals are being sought from containership carriers or consortia for e-fuel-powered shipping for 3-5 years, starting around 2027. Bids must demonstrate at least a 90% lifecycle emission reduction for primary propulsion of the vessel(s) compared to a high emission fuel baseline. After thorough vetting and commercial negotiation, ZEMBA will select the best proposal(s), and members will enter bilateral contracts with the winner(s). For this tender, ZEMBA is open to the potential of multiple winners. Results are expected to be announced by the end of 2025.

ZEMBA’s inaugural tender was completed in April 2024. Global carrier Hapag-Lloyd was the first winner, and will run containerships on biomethane in 2025 and 2026. The first tender had similar proposal requirements (and covered roughly the same vessel journey), and provided ZEMBA with valuable learnings to take into the next round.