Global shipping companies Hapag-Lloyd and North Sea Container Line (NCL) have won a landmark tender to deploy low-emission fuels derived from hydrogen on container vessels starting in 2027, marking a significant step toward decarbonising maritime transport.
Under the tender organised by the Zero Emission Maritime Buyers Alliance (ZEMBA), Hapag-Lloyd will operate five large container ships using around 70,000 metric tonnes of e-methanol, while NCL will fuel a smaller container vessel with approximately 25,000 tonnes of e-ammonia. The agreement will run for at least three years, the companies said.
The volumes committed are substantial, particularly as the current use of e-fuels in global shipping remains negligible. ZEMBA, a voluntary coalition that includes major cargo owners such as Amazon, IKEA, Nike and Tchibo, aims to bridge the gap between companies willing to pay a premium for low-emission transport and ship operators capable of using cleaner fuels.
The initiative comes amid growing pressure on the shipping industry to cut emissions, even as the International Maritime Organization (IMO) decided in October to delay the introduction of a global carbon price by one year following pressure from the United States.
Shipping is widely regarded as one of the hardest sectors to decarbonise due to the high costs involved in retrofitting existing vessels or building new ships compatible with alternative fuels. However, ZEMBA President Ingrid Irigoyen said the tender demonstrated encouraging signs.
“What we have found in our first go-to-market exercise for e-fuels-powered shipping is that there is e-fuel available at economically viable cost points, and there could be much more supply if there were stronger demand drivers,” she said.
According to the companies, China’s Goldwind is expected to supply the e-methanol under the tender, while Yara Clean Ammonia will provide the e-ammonia, underscoring growing involvement from major energy players in the emerging green fuels market.
The deal is being seen as a concrete signal that demand-led initiatives can help accelerate the transition to low- and zero-emission fuels in global shipping.
