Zemba to invite bids For zero-emission shipping services

The Zero Emission Maritime Buyers Alliance (ZEMBA), which is seeking to fast-track the commercial deployment of zero-emission shipping, has announced plans to issue requests for proposals (RfP) for zero-emission container shipping services to be delivered by 2025.

Launched in March, ZEMBA was co-founded by the Aspen Institute, Amazon, Patagonia and Tchibo. It is an initiative of the Aspen Institute Shipping Decarbonization Initiative’s Cargo Owners for Zero Emission Vessels (coZEV) which is a platform for cargo owners to work together toward a decarbonised maritime sector.

Set to be issued for September 2023, the RfP will seek proposals for zero-emission container shipping services, which ZEMBA defines as those that achieve at least 90% reduction in emissions on a lifecycle basis for greenhouse gases as compared to traditional bunker fuels.

According to the Alliance, the proposals for zero-emission services ‘should provide scalable solutions as well as address safety and land use concerns, particularly those that relate to biogenic substances.’ Through this pilot, ZEMBA members will commit a portion of their demand for maritime shipping to zero-emission services, and bidders will compete for the aggregated demand of ZEMBA members, which is expected to reach 200,000+ TEUs, with delivery in 2025. Carriers are being encouraged to develop bids by late October.

‘Through this RfP, ZEMBA is kickstarting the transition to zero-emission fuels in an industry that is responsible for 90% of all global trade,’ said Ingrid Irigoyen, President and CEO of ZEMBA.

‘Ahead of the RfP launch, we encourage additional cargo owners to join us and receive early access to zero-emission shipping services, which are not yet available today. This groundbreaking effort to decarbonize a hard-to-abate sector will put the ocean shipping industry — with policymaker support — on a path forward that supports the goals outlined in the Paris Agreement and makes good business sense in a world where consumer values are evolving.’

Companies that purchase ocean freight services are encouraged to join ZEMBA by 4 August to ensure their participation in the first-round bid. Potential bidders should contact ZEMBA leadership to begin preparing for the RfP process.