Announcements at COP29

The U.S. and Norway’s Green Shipping Challenge: “From Commitments to Action” welcomed new commitments from countries, ports, companies, and other actors in the shipping value chain to help put the shipping sector on a pathway this decade to align with the goal to limit global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees C. 

This year’s event featured a moderated discussion between public and private sector speakers who have championed climate action in the shipping sector over the past three years, with a  focus on the progress made in the production of zero emission fuels, the establishment  of green shipping corridors and policy initiatives, and the way forward for the future of both the Green Shipping Challenge and in maintaining momentum to decarbonize the maritime sector.

Green Shipping Challenge at COP29

Participants and Announcements
November 13, 2024 | Baku | Azerbaijan

Participants

Countries, ports, and companies made more than 40 announcements updates showcasing concrete progress under the Green Shipping Challenge at COP29. Scroll to the announcements section to learn more details.

Announcement Updates

The American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) announces the Caribbean Green Shipping Corridor Network, continues work on the Gulf of Mexico Green Shipping Corridor.
Australia expects to publish a Maritime Emissions Reduction National Action Plan before the end of 2024.
The Blue Visby Consortium initiated numerous Digital Twin Virtual Pilots (DTVP) and two series of Prototype Trials with Consortium members.
Canada announces $83.2 million in funding under their Green Shipping Corridors Program
Canada continues work on the Pacific global Green Shipping Corridors MOU, announced at COP28
The Chilean Green Corridors Network pre-feasibility and feasibility study is to be finalized by the end of 2024
FIN-EST Green Corridor, Ports of Tallinn and Helsinki, together with cities and shipping companies accelerate zero emissions.
The GDSC ports and C40 Cities commissioned and completed a baselining study, conducted by the American Bureau of Shipping, in view of the 2023 IMO Strategy on the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from ships targets.
The GDSC ports and C40 Cities: Three major shipping lines — Hafnia, K-Line, and MOL — are in early discussions to join the LA-LB-Singapore GDSC initiative.
The GDSC ports and C40 Cities published annual progress report at the North Bund International Shipping Forum in October 2024 for the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Shanghai Green Shipping Corridor.
HELMEPA research study on maritime decarbonization in the Eastern Mediterranean well underway for completion in 2025, reaching thousands.
Höegh Autoliners making tangible progress towards decarbonization goals
Hong Kong University of Science & Technology produced a report with the Blue Visby team on the impact of SFTW on mortality.
Mærsk McKinney Møller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping completed a pre-feasibility study in Namibia and its consortium incubation workshop for Namibian Green Corridors.
Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL) has announced plans to outfit an additional eight vessels with the Wind Challenger technology by the year 2028.
The Netherlands and the UK organised a joint call for feasibility studies investigating Green Shipping Corridors focused on routes between both countries. The winning project(s) will be announced in Q4 2024.
The Namibia Green Hydrogen Programme makes impressive progress towards its Green Shipping Corridor Challenge, with the Namibian Port Authority allocating 100 hectares of land to produce green ammonia.
Northwest Seaport Alliance completed the pre-feasibility phase of the U.S.- Korea Green Corridors Project.
Northwest Seaport Alliance is making solid progress in their efforts to decarbonize “landside” cargo activities.
The Norwegian Minister of Climate and Environment set ambitious new goals toward maritime decarbonization.
The Port of Klaipeda was designated as a PERS Certified Port, granted by the European Maritime Port Organisation (ESPO) in 2024.
Port of Klaipėda: The production and supply of green hydrogen at the Port of Klaipėda are planned to begin in 2026. At full capacity, approximately 127 tons of hydrogen will be produced per year.
The Port of Seattle continues fueling progress in the Pacific Northwest, with a feasibility study for green methanol powered cruise ships, with voyages between the Pacific Northwest and Alaska, to be completed by the end of 2025.
The Port of Seattle became 100% shore power capable for cruise in Q3 2024, with shore power now available at all three cruise berths.
TOWT (TransOceanic Wind Transport) has completed 5 decarbonized voyages between Europe, North America, and other global destinations, with an impressive 95% reduction in emissions.
Port of Walvis Bay and Port of Lüderitz are being developed to increase their readiness for alternative fuel handling.
A project between the UK and Ireland, running from October 2024 to March 2025, will investigate the use of alternative maritime fuels to decarbonise the route between the Ports of Holyhead and Dublin.
The UK designates funding for studies investigating multiple potential Green Corridor routes between UK-Norway and UK-Denmark.
Zero Emission Maritime Buyers Alliance (ZEMBA) successfully completed its first collective tender for ocean shipping that achieves a greater than 90% reduction of greenhouse gases on a lifecycle basis relative to a standard fossil fuel powered service.

Announcement Details

The American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) announces the Caribbean Green Shipping Corridor Network, continues work on the Gulf of Mexico Green Shipping Corridor:This initiative will engage key stakeholders in U.S. – Caribbean shipping to work together to accelerate progress toward the goal of net zero emissions in Caribbean shipping by (1) targeting specific high priority shipping routes for decarbonization initiatives and (2) developing regional infrastructure and strategies to support overall decarbonization of shipping in the region (e.g., alternative fuel networks). We envision a multi-stakeholder group with shipping, shipper, port, government, and community engagement from across the region working together on prioritized multi-year plans, focusing first on a discreet set of high priority initial routes and commodity/passenger flows, then expanding over time to cover other routes, operations, and ports across the region. The group will provide a coordinating function among the stakeholders to collaborate on aligned technical approaches, policies and regulations, pursuit of funding opportunities, etc.
- The GOM GSC continues to focus on the pursuit of funding from US Department of Transportation in order to align broader federal initiatives with this Green Shipping Corridor. Knowledge sharing regionally focused on focused projects of interest:
  - Vessel Demonstration / Alternative Fuels and Power Options
  - Commodity Flows and Markets
  - Digital optimization modeling and simulation.
  - Infrastructure readiness.
Australia expects to publish a Maritime Emissions Reduction National Action Plan before the end of 2024: Australia’s Maritime Emissions Reduction National Action Plan is being delivered to the Australian Government for consideration before the end of 2024 (the timing of its release will be a matter for the Australian Government). There was a significant amount of engagement from maritime stakeholders on the issues papers released as part of the public consultation process for the Maritime Emissions Reduction National Action Plan, including from the shipping, ports, energy, unions, and services sectors. The issues papers covered a range of maritime decarbonisation topics on regulatory challenges and gaps, energy sources and technologies, skills and training, and international partnerships.
The Blue Visby Consortium initiated numerous Digital Twin Virtual Pilots (DTVP) and two series of Prototype Trials with Consortium members.
- The Blue Visby Consortium completed a Prototype Trial with CBH, involving supramax bulk carriers, which delivered estimated GHG emissions savings of 7.9-28.1%.
- The Blue Visby Consortium completed a prototype trial with the Marubeni Corporation, involving LPG Tankers, which demonstrated estimated GHG emissions savings of around 29%
- The Blue Visby Consortium has grown to 41 participants, including international organisations, shipowning companies, ship managers, charterers, port authorities and port entities: the Consortium as global reach, including entities such as Port of Rotterdam, Port of Yokohama, Port Authority of New South Wales, Port of Newcastle (Australia) and Panama Canal Authority. See https://bluevisby.com/the-consortium/
Canada announces $83.2 million in funding under their Green Shipping Corridors Program: by November 18, Canada will have made 3 domestic announcements for funding under the GSCP Program – including up to $22.5M for Nova Scotia projects, up to $35.5M or BC projects and up to $25.2M for Ontario projects
Canada Continues work on the Pacific global Green Shipping Corridors MOU, announced at COP28
The Chilean Green Corridors Network pre-feasibility and feasibility study is to be finalized by the end of 2024: The Ministry of Energy is working with the Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping, to finalized at the end of 2024 the feasibility studies for two selected Chilean green corridors: cooper, sulfuric acid. The results of the studies will be published. At COP 28, a feasibility study in the salmon sector in the south of Chile was announced. This study started this year and it will be finalized in 2025.
FIN-EST Green Corridor, Ports of Tallinn and Helsinki, together with Cities and Shipping companies accelerate zero emissions: The 19 joint projects cover a wide range of initiatives that will support climate neutrality, including:
- Transition to Green Fuels: Studies and activities aimed at ensuring the availability of green fuels and addressing associated safety regulations.
- Zero-Emission Port Infrastructure: The introduction of zero-emission service vehicles and machinery at ports, along with the development of supporting infrastructure.
- Waste Management Enhancements: Efforts to harmonize sorting and recycling systems for ship-generated and consumer waste, contributing to more sustainable waste management.
- Digital Solutions for Fuel Efficiency: The implementation of digital tools to monitor and reduce fuel consumption in ferries.
- Carbon Capture Technologies: Exploring the potential of carbon capture to further minimize emissions.
- Cycling Travel Promotion: A project focused on improving the experience for cycling travelers, ensuring seamless bicycle journeys between the cities and ships.
The GDSC ports and C40 Cities commissioned and completed a baselining study, conducted by the American Bureau of Shipping, in view of the 2023 IMO Strategy on the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from ships targets: Its results were released during Singapore Maritime Week in April 2024. The study which was able to estimate the quantity of near-zero and zero-emission fuels required for traffic between the two ports by modelling the adoption of zero and near-zero carbon alternative fuels by vessels operating on the corridor through to 2050. The study considered various parameters such as fuel production costs and fuel availability, and also highlighted the potential socio-economic benefits which came can come as a result of the fuel transition and leveraging on digital solutions.
- The GDSC ports and C40 Cities: Three Major Shipping Lines — Hafnia, K-Line, and MOL — are in early discussions to join the LA-LB-Singapore GDSC initiative: each partner would be expected to spearhead a project to advance the corridor’s decarbonisation and digitalisation goals, such as the adoption of net-zero fuels, Just-in-Time route optimisation, and energy efficiency technologies such as wind-assisted ship propulsion. The addition of the new partners will significantly strengthen the GDSC’s capacity to drive innovation in sustainable shipping practices and accelerate the adoption of zero/near-zero emission fuels and green technologies along the corridor.
- The GDSC ports and C40 Cities published an annual Progress Report at the North Bund International Shipping Forum in October 2024: After the publication of their historic Implementation Plan Outline last year, the partners of the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Shanghai Green Shipping Corridor published their first ever Annual Progress Report at the North Bund International Shipping Forum in October 2024. It outlines the significant progress made by the Partnership in the last 12 months and lists the next steps for the Partnership on the way to zero lifecycle carbon emission container ships. Three dedicated working groups – Energy Supply, Carriers, and Ports – have been formed to help advance towards the ambitious goals set out in the Corridor’s Implementation Plan Outline and have made significant progress this year:
  - Energy Supply Working Group
    - Identifying the demand and supply dynamics for alternative fuels.
    - Establishing a fuel production and supply schedule.
    - Setting standards for low- and zero-carbon fuels to be used.
    - Carriers Working Group
    - Collecting development roadmaps from shipping companies on their low-emission fleets.
    - Creating a timeline for vessel, fuel, and technology launches.
    - Nominating specific shipping services to join the Corridor.
  - Ports Working Group
    - Expanding shore power facilities at the Port of Shanghai, allowing ships to turn off engines while at berth.
    - Enhancing clean energy refueling options at Shanghai’s port.
    - Engaging fuel providers at LA/LB to support the Corridor.
    - Aligning LA/LB incentive programs with the needs of the Corridor.
HELMEPA research study on maritime decarbonization in the Eastern Mediterranean well underway for completion in 2025, reaching thousands: The METAVASEA project is implemented between October 2023 and September 2028. The overall objectives are: – raise awareness among 10,000 students, 750 teachers and about 2 million residents of the Eastern Mediterranean Throughout the project’s first year, over 160 articles, posts, and events have featured and highlighted the METAVASEA project. It is estimated that the project, along with its initiatives and objectives, reached more than 400,000 individuals. The research is well underway, with more than 700 responses have been collected (already reaching more than 28% of the overall target), and more than 20,000 individuals have been exposed to the surveys, and the topics and questions raised about alternative fuels, decarbonization, sustainability and ESG, as well as climate change impacts, risks and challenges – mapping of the necessary skills and competencies. The study, which will be completed in 2025, gathers insights through online surveys – having already collected over 500 responses from onboard and onshore personnel – along with focus groups and interviews with industry stakeholders. The survey explores key technical, safety, sustainability, and organizational skills for seafarers and office personnel, necessary to effectively support decarbonization strategies in the coming years. In total, over 200 maritime and marine organizations in Greece, Cyprus, and the wider East Mediterranean, as well as more than 1,000 active seafarers and office employees, will participate and provided their valuable insights. – training and retraining of 1,500 seafarers, port workers and maritime professionals on issues related to new fuels, enhancing safety on ships and in ports, digital transition, soft skills, environmental leadership, and awareness-raising for the protection of the marine environment. The training materials and toolkits are divided into 7 course thematic: 1. Enhanced safety culture for maritime decarbonization 2. Emerging technologies, digital awareness and cybersecurity in shipping 3. Marine environmental awareness masterclass 4. Environmental leadership masterclass 5. Soft skills masterclass 6. New skills for maritime decarbonization 7. Bridge resource management and soft skills The development of these topics is progressing well, and during the project’s first year, the initial six workshops, webinars, and training sessions were successfully conducted. These six sessions have significantly contributed to raising awareness and expanding knowledge on maritime decarbonization among a total of 688 participants, including seafarers, port workers, and office personnel—exceeding 45% of the overall goal of 1,500 participants. The attendees represented 57 shipping companies and maritime organizations from the East Mediterranean.
HELMEPA Successfully Host Six Workshops, Webinars, and Training Sessions for Seafarers, Port Workers, and Office Personnel: During the first year, over 117 shipping companies and maritime organizations from diverse stakeholder groups — including shipping, unions, port authorities, suppliers and service providers, marine academies, academic institutions, and others — have actively participated in the project’s activities, including specialized focus groups, training and reskilling seminars, and various events and initiatives. These stakeholders, from Greece, Cyprus, and other countries in the region, have provided valuable insights, information, and concerns, while also gaining exposure to the project’s aims, objectives, and initiatives. Additionally, the first year of the project saw the establishment of significant connections and collaborations, most notably with the Lloyd’s Register Marine Decarbonization Hub, the Maritime Just Transition Task Force (which is coordinating the Seafarers’ Training for Decarbonization project with IMO-WMU-ICS-ITF), the Global Maritime Forum, the Green Shipping Challenge of the U.S. Department of State and Norway, and the UN Regional Marine Pollution Emergency Response Centre for the Mediterranean Sea.
Höegh Autoliners makes tangible progress towards decarbonization goals: Since last year we have delivered 2 out of 12 Aurora Class vessels, currently sailing on LNG reducing emissions by up to around 58% per car transported compared with conventional car carriers in operation. These vessels can be converted to run on ammonia from 2027 and onwards. We are on track with our newbuild project and expect the first net zero vessels to run on ammonia directly from years (in commercial sailing) from 2027. Since last COP, we would like to highlight following:
- Taken delivery of two out of twelve Aurora class vessels, reducing emissions per shipped car by 58%
- Secured four engines for vessels on ammonia, first to be delivered in 2027
- Began operation on LNG and have burned around 10.000 MT biofuel in 2024
  - In addition:
    - Estimated additional cost to operate a vessel on green ammonia over 30 years is USD 360 million
    - We plan to reduce emissions by 150.000 MT CO2 per annum by operating on ammonia by 2030
Hong Kong University of Science & Technology Produced a report with the Blue Visby team on the impact of SFTW on mortality: Consortium participant Hong Kong University of Science & Technology has worked with the Blue Visby team to produce a report on the impact of SFTW on mortality. The study by HKUST shines a light on health benefits: reducing anchorage dwell time by eradicating SFTW has the potential to prevent some 7,000 premature deaths annually around the world. See the following link. The effect of BVS on areas other than climate has been studied previously by Consortium participant Ocean Conservancy in relation to the impact of BVS on underwater noise pollution and risk of impact with marine mammals.
Mærsk McKinney Møller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping completes pre-feasibility study in Namibia / Consortium incubation workshop for Namibian Green Corridors pre-feasibility study completed: Since the announcement of the partnership for green shipping corridors in developing countries at COP28, the Mærsk McKinney Møller Center has completed a pre-feasibility study for green shipping corridors in Namibia, and has launched the work for pre-feasibility studies for green corridors in the Phillippines and Ghana, to be completed by COP30.
- On 6 September 2024, a Consortium Incubation Workshop for Namibian Green Corridors Pre-Feasibility Study took place in Windhoek, Namibia. The aim of the Workshop was to provide an update on the preliminary outcomes of the Namibian Green Corridors Pre-Feasibility Study. The agreed selection criteria for Green Corridors have been established as follows:
  - CO2 emissions
  - Transport of top 10 cargo by value
  - Expected future growth (volume or value) (CAGR) 2021-2025
  - Primary Trade routes
  - Corridors from largest ports
  - Development of Namibia
- The key findings show that Walvis Bay has added new liquid bulk jetties and is planning LNG and ammonia terminals, while Lüderitz is expanding to handle ammonia exports. Both ports are generally prepared to meet future demands for green fuel handling and distribution. The report also identifies Namibia’s main trade routes and key commodities, including diamond, uranium, and fish exports, along with petroleum imports. With growing interest in green corridors, there is potential for Namibia to develop these corridors, particularly for bulk commodities such as green ammonia, copper exports, supported by port expansions.
Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL) has announced plans to outfit an additional eight vessels with the Wind Challenger technology by the year 2028: After MOL’s wind powered vessel “SHOFU MARU” set sail, the second vessel, Green Winds, equipped with the Wind Challenger, was officially delivered in July 2024. MOL has announced plans to outfit an additional eight vessels with the Wind Challenger technology by the year 2028.
The Netherlands and the UK organised a joint call for feasibility studies investigating Green Shipping Corridors focused on routes between both countries. The winning project(s) will be announced in Q4 2024.
The Namibia Green Hydrogen Programme makes impressive progress towards its Green Shipping Corridor Challenge, with the Namibian Port Authority allocating 100 hectares of land to produce green ammonia: Namibia is emerging as a crucial gateway for trade within Sub-Saharan Africa, with its two main ports, Port of Walvis Bay and Port of Lüderitz, being developed to increase their readiness for alternative fuel handling. The country has also launched several alternative fuel projects, aiming to not only satisfy domestic energy needs but also to tap into international export markets. Namibia is actively expanding its production of low-carbon alternative fuels, as outlined by the country’s Green Hydrogen Council at COP27 in Sharm El-Sheikh. Launched in November 2022, Namibia’s Green Hydrogen Strategy aims to establish the country as a global hub for hydrogen and ammonia production. Several projects are currently underway, with Namibia targeting green ammonia exports to meet a projected global demand of 10 million metric tons by 2030, while also playing a pivotal role in enhancing regional energy security.
- Namport, the Namibian port authority, is strategically enhancing its infrastructure to support the alternative fuel sector, particularly green hydrogen and green ammonia. Namport has entered into Memoranda of Understanding with both the Port of Rotterdam and the Port of Antwerp-Bruges, focusing on port development, energy transition, and positioning Namibia’s ports as export hubs for green ammonia. Additionally, Namport has allocated 100 hectares for Cleanergy Solutions, a joint venture between CMB Tech and Ohlthaver & List to produce green ammonia. The project’s ambition is to build an ammonia bunkering terminal at the Port of Walvis Bay. Cleanergy solutions targets to start construction of a €200 million ammonia storage facility in Q1-2025. The project aims to position Port of Walvis Bay as a preferred port of call for any ships looking to use green ammonia as a shipping fuel. CMB.TECH itself has already placed orders for five new very large crude carriers (VLCCs) under construction at Qingdao Beihai Shipyard, China. The vessels are expected to be delivered in 2026 &Q1 2027 and will be ready to be powered by a dual-fuel diesel-ammonia engine. By the end of 2027 CMB expects to have 10 vessels ready to run on ammonia and some of which may start calling to port in Namibia.
Northwest Seaport Alliance completed the pre-feasibility phase of the U.S.- Korea Green Corridors Project: Working closely with our Korean partners, we are studying the feasibility of two potential green shipping corridors between our Seattle-Tacoma cargo gateway and Korean ports: one involving RoRo vessels/car carriers and another involving container ships. The findings and implementation roadmaps will be completed and shared out at the Our Oceans Conference in Busan in late April 2025.
- Northwest Seaport Alliance Initiates new feasibility phase for two potential Car Corridors: RoRo vessels/car carriers and container ships.
Northwest Seaport Alliance is making solid progress in their efforts to decarbonize “landside” cargo activities: Including: 1) installing shore power infrastructure on three cargo terminals, with planning or design underway at four more; 2) launching a Zero Emission Drayage Incentive Program to help drayage trucking companies serving our gateway transition to ZE trucks; and 3) ramping up work with our marine terminal and railyard operators to accelerate the transition to ZE cargo-handling equipment on our terminals.
The Norwegian Minister of Climate and Environment set ambitious new goals toward maritime decarbonization: In order to further stimulate the urgent need for reduction of GHG emissions in domestic shipping and fisheries, the Government and the maritime and fisheries sectors will enter into a climate partnership. The agreement will be added on to the further scaling up of climate actions towards the maritime sector, matched with other decarbonization friendly policy initiatives.
The Port of Klaipeda was designated as a PERS Certified Port, granted by the European Maritime Port Organisation (ESPO) in 2024: The Klaipėda State Seaport Authority implement actions and measures, towards a decarbonized maritime transport. It‘s vision – an innovative hub for port services, maritime industry, and green energy with new activities generation- ofshore wind hub, electricity supply for ships, green fuels production and handling. The Port of Klaipeda was a PERS certified Port granted by European Maritime Port Organisation (ESPO) in 2024. PERS is based on the policy recommendations of ESPO, the scheme is specifically designed to help port authorities achieve compliance and sustainable development of port activities, protect the environment, and address climate problems.
Port of Klaipėda: The production and supply of green hydrogen at the Port of Klaipėda are planned to begin in 2026. At full capacity, approximately 127 tons of hydrogen will be produced per year.
- Green hydrogen production infrastructure: The production and supply of green hydrogen at Klaipėda Port are planned to begin in 2026. 2 MW electrolysis capacity in port territory, public H2 refuelling station, ship H2 bunkering station and storage tanks. When the equipment is operating at full capacity, approximately 127 tons of hydrogen will be produced per year.
- Onshore power supply (OPS) infrastructure for ships at berth: in Ro-pax terminals (2026), container and cruise terminals (2028);
- Green port authority fleet (hydrogen-powered waste collection vessel, hybrid pilot boats);
- Klaipeda port development projects (offshore wind harbour enabling Lithuania‘s green energy production ambitions, new cruise terminal, etc.);
- Klaipeda port is an important part of the Green Shipping Corridor.
- Since the port of Klaipeda is located in town, there is an aim to support the local (municipality level), national (an impact to all the national transport sector) and international (to offer regional opportunities to the transport sector) transition towards sustainable transportation solutions.
The Port of Seattle continues fueling progress in the Pacific Northwest, with a feasibility study for green methanol powered cruise ships, with voyages between the Pacific Northwest and Alaska, to be completed by the end of 2025: The feasibility assessment is underway as of Q2 2024, in partnership with the Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping, to explore the feasibility of 120,000 tons of green methanol to power four cruise ships’ round-trip voyages between the Pacific Northwest and Alaska by 2032, with the first methanol-powered ship on the corridor by 2030. Feasibility assessment is due to be completed in Q3 2025.
The Port of Seattle became 100% shore power capable for cruise in Q3 2024, with shore power now available at all three cruise berths.
TOWT (TransOceanic Wind Transport) has completed 5 decarbonized voyages between Europe, North America, and other global destinations, with an impressive 95% reduction in emissions.
Port of Walvis Bay and Port of Lüderitz are being developed to increase their readiness for alternative fuel handling.
A project between the UK and Ireland, running from October 2024 to March 2025, will investigate the use of alternative maritime fuels to decarbonise the route between the Ports of Holyhead and Dublin.
UK and the Netherlands will Begin a Project, to Run from November 2024 to April 2025, that Will Investigate the use of Methanol to Decarbonise the Route Between the ports of Tyne and IJmuiden: Following up on the announcement of The Netherlands and the UK during COP27 and COP28, The Netherlands and the UK have organised in Q2 and Q3 of 2024 a joint funding call for feasibility studies investigating Green Shipping Corridors focused on routes between both countries. The winning project(s) will be announced in Q4 2024. With these feasibility studies, The Netherlands and the UK want to gain insight, together with the sector, in the emission reduction that could be realised by a green corridor and the required adjustments and investments in ports, infrastructure and ships. This enables frontrunners in maritime shipping to start the energy transition on a manageable scale. In addition, lessons can be learned for further scaling up.
The UK designates funding for studies investigating multiple potential Green Corridor routes between UK-Norway and UK-Denmark.
Zero Emission Maritime Buyers Alliance (ZEMBA) successfully completed its first collective tender for ocean shipping that achieves a greater than 90% reduction of greenhouse gases on a lifecycle basis relative to a standard fossil fuel powered service.
- Zero Emission Maritime Buyers Alliance (ZEMBA): 17 Companies Committed to Purchase the Environmental Attributes of Over 1 billion Twenty-Foot Equivalent Container Unit (TEU)/nautical miles of Decarbonized Shipping on a Route from Singapore to Rotterdam, Netherlands in 2025-2026.
  - As a Result of the ZEMBA Initiative, Hapag-Lloyd Will Replace Approximately 20,000 tons of Fossil-LNG with Waste Based, Independently Certified Biomethane that is Produced from Landfill Gas and Livestock Waste: In April 2024, the Zero Emission Maritime Buyers Alliance (ZEMBA) announced that it successfully completed its first collective tender for ocean shipping that achieves a greater than 90% reduction of greenhouse gases on a lifecycle basis relative to a standard fossil fuel powered service. Winning carrier Hapag-Lloyd will replace approximately 20,000 tons of fossil-LNG with waste based, independently certified biomethane that is produced from landfill gas and livestock waste. Hapag-Lloyd is one of the world’s leading container liner shipping companies with a fleet of 266 vessels with a capacity of 2 million TEU that service over 600 ports on all continents. Through their bid, Hapag-Lloyd was able to meet the full aggregated volume of ZEMBA’s original tender and met all of ZEMBA’s primary criteria in the RFP1 Sustainability Framework.
  - ZEMBA in collaboration with Lloyd’s Register Maritime Decarbonisation launched the report titled: Availability of E-Fuels and E-Fuel-Capable Vessels from 2027-2030: Key Findings from a Request for Information for the Zero Emission Maritime Buyers Alliance: In October, ZEMBA in collaboration with Lloyd’s Register Maritime Decarbonisation launched the report titled: Availability of E-Fuels and E-Fuel-Capable Vessels from 2027-2030: Key Findings from a Request for Information for the Zero Emission Maritime Buyers Alliance. The report summarizes findings from a request for information (RFI) that both organizations ran in 2024 to assess the market readiness for the commercial deployment of e-fuels in the maritime shipping sector. The aim of the RFI was to help inform the design and scope of ZEMBA forthcoming e-fuel-focused tender, which will be launched in early 2025. This report found that the supply of e-fuels and availability of e-fuel-capable containership vessels are predicted to be sufficient to meet the demand of an e-fuel-focused ZEMBA tender seeking deployment in 2027.
  - Since December 2023, over a dozen new members have joined ZEMBA’s ranks, including SEKO Logistics, Vaude, Olyra, Otto and Gepa.