Maritime

Cargo owners and freight forwarders that rely on the maritime sector to move goods around the world face considerable challenges in decarbonizing their marine transportation emissions footprint. While ocean transportation is one of the most efficient modes for moving freight, this form of transportation is still energy-intensive, and clean energy-powered deep-sea transportation services are not yet widely available.

The Aspen Institute Energy and Environment Program serves as the secretariat of the   Zero Emission Maritime Buyers Alliance (ZEMBA), which is working to address these challenges. GMA acts as an essential technical partner.

ZEMBA

Launched in 2023, ZEMBA is a first-of-its-kind buyers group within the maritime sector. ZEMBA aims to accelerate the commercial deployment of clean energy-powered shipping, enable economies of scale, and help cargo owners maximize their positive impact beyond what any one freight buyer could accomplish alone. ZEMBA members are offering committed demand to build confidence among investors, carriers, ship owners, and producers of clean energy fuels and renewable energy to scale the development and adoption of these solutions.

To date, ZEMBA has completed two innovative forward procurements for the environmental attributes associated with sustainable shipping. ZEMBA’s inaugural deal was the first-ever collective procurement of low-emission shipping services in the maritime sector. ZEMBA’s current tender will facilitate some of the first commercial deployments of two e-fuels—e-methanol and e-ammonia—critical for the maritime sector’s decarbonization.

ZEMBA’s e-fuel deal is still open to new members. Learn more about ZEMBA and how to join this historic deal here.