May 19, 2025 — Hapag-Lloyd, World’s leading shipping liner company, has reached significant milestones in its efforts to decarbonize the shipping industry under the Zero Emission Maritime Buyers Alliance (ZEMBA) initiative. The company successfully completed its bio-methane bunkering operations, marking a major step toward the company’s ambitious goal of achieving net-zero fleet operations by 2045.
In March 2025, Hapag-Lloyd’s Hanoi Express vessel successfully bunkered 1,800 metric tons of bio-methane in Rotterdam, generating the first Sustainable Marine Fuel Certificates (SMFc) under the ZEMBA initiative. This was quickly followed by another breakthrough on the Rotterdam Express, which bunkered 3,000 metric tons of bio-methane in Wilhelmshaven, marking the first-ever supply of this renewable fuel at the terminal.
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A Game-Changer in Sustainable Fuel Supply
The bunkering of bio-methane at these key locations is a pivotal moment in Hapag-Lloyd’s journey toward sustainable shipping. Bio-methane, a renewable fuel with up to 95% fewer greenhouse gas emissions compared to conventional marine fuels, is no longer just a future promise; it is actively powering vessels today. These efforts are in line with Hapag-Lloyd’s broader strategy to decarbonize its fleet and align with global maritime decarbonization goals.
Both the Hanoi Express and Rotterdam Express are part of a new class of 12 dual-fuel vessels designed to run on LNG and are ready to operate on alternative fuels, such as bio-methane and e-methane. These ships are crucial in Hapag-Lloyd’s transition to a greener, more sustainable future while maintaining high operational efficiency.
The Role of ZEMBA in Driving Change
The Zero Emission Maritime Buyers Alliance (ZEMBA) is a non-profit organization that aims to accelerate the commercial deployment of clean energy-powered shipping. The organization helps cargo owners and industry leaders like Hapag-Lloyd unite to create economies of scale, driving the adoption of sustainable shipping solutions that are greater than what individual stakeholders could achieve alone.
Hapag-Lloyd’s involvement with ZEMBA is central to their long-term decarbonization strategy, which includes a diverse mix of clean energy fuels. As one of over 40 current members in the initiative, Hapag-Lloyd is committed to increasing demand for scalable, sustainable solutions across key trade routes, particularly those between Asia and Europe.
The ZEMBA initiative has already shown strong progress, with participants working together to reduce emissions from the maritime sector, aligning with global efforts to meet net-zero and climate goals.
Next Steps in Decarbonization and Global Collaboration
Hapag-Lloyd’s commitment to sustainable maritime operations is far from over. The company is set to have more vessels join the ZEMBA initiative in 2025, continuing to reduce emissions along key trade routes. The collaborative efforts fostered by ZEMBA and other industry players are accelerating the transition toward a greener maritime future.
The partnership also benefits from technical and legal backing from key players like the Center for Green Market Activation, Lloyd’s Register Maritime Decarbonisation Hub, and Pillsbury. This support helps ensure that the initiatives, including bio-methane bunkering and e-methane solutions, are scalable and ready for widespread adoption.
About ZEMBA
The Zero Emission Maritime Buyers Alliance (ZEMBA) is the world’s first buyers group dedicated to accelerating the commercialization of clean energy shipping. Its mission is to empower cargo owners and other stakeholders in the maritime sector to achieve significant sustainability impacts. With over 40 members, ZEMBA continues to increase demand for green fuel solutions and to provide a collaborative platform for industry leaders.
About Hapag-Lloyd
Hapag-Lloyd is one of the world’s leading liner shipping companies, operating a fleet of 292 modern container vessels with a total transport capacity of 2.3 million TEU. The company’s global network spans 399 offices across 139 countries, ensuring reliable cargo transportation through 113 liner services connecting more than 600 ports worldwide. In addition to shipping operations, Hapag-Lloyd holds equity stakes in 20 terminals across key regions, further strengthening its logistics infrastructure.
These milestone underscores Hapag-Lloyd’s commitment to green shipping, furthering its efforts toward a cleaner and more efficient maritime industry.
Source Hapag-Lloyd | ZEMBA