Alternative Fuels

Aspen Institute, Amazon, Patagonia, Tchibo launch Zero Emission Maritime Buyers Alliance

Plans to issue RfP to forward procure maritime shipping services that achieve zero or near-zero emissions, for all greenhouse gases, not limited to carbon dioxide.

Published

2 years ago

March 10, 2023

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The Aspen Institute, Amazon, Patagonia, and Tchibo on Thursday (9 March) launched the Zero Emission Maritime Buyers Alliance (ZEMBA) to accelerate maritime shipping decarbonisation.

As a non-profit organization and initiative of Cargo Owners for Zero Emissions Vessels (coZEV), the mission of ZEMBA is to enable companies to access zero-emission shipping solutions that are not currently available.

Through ZEMBA, freight buyers will accelerate the commercial deployment of zero-emission shipping, enable economies of scale, and help minimize maritime emissions.

By working together, ZEMBA members will offer committed demand to build confidence among investors, carriers, ship owners, and producers of zero-emission marine fuels and renewable energy.

“The Aspen Institute is inspired by industry leaders like Amazon, Patagonia, and Tchibo who are advancing solutions that will help us achieve full maritime decarbonisation,” said Dan Porterfield, President and CEO of the Aspen Institute. “Through ZEMBA, we look forward to partnering with additional freight buyers to catalyze the maritime industry’s clean energy future.”

By providing committed demand for new marine fuels and technologies needed for the nascent market for clean shipping, ZEMBA’s efforts can also help create new and sustainable worldwide economic models in renewable energy, zero-emission marine fuel production, infrastructure, and clean maritime services.

“Removing the climate impact of hard-to-abate sectors, such as maritime shipping, requires continuous collaboration, investment, and innovation - which is why we joined ZEMBA,” said Kara Hurst, Vice President of Worldwide Sustainability at Amazon. “Through ZEMBA, we are taking important steps forward together with other cargo owners to unblock challenges, accelerate solutions, and create the demand needed to decarbonize maritime shipping and support a clean energy transition.”

“The climate crisis is an existential threat, and we need all sectors of society working together to save the planet,” said Todd Soller, Head of Global Supply Chain at Patagonia. “Patagonia relies on ocean cargo shipping to transport materials and finished products around the world, and we depend on partners and initiatives like ZEMBA to help scale solutions for businesses to radically reduce their carbon emissions.”

“Tchibo is on a great path to achieve our own emission targets by 2030,” said Werner Weber, CEO of Tchibo GmbH, “but for Scope 3, we need scalable solutions now. Supporting ZEMBA gives us the opportunity to address the emissions from our logistics, which represent approximately 13% of our overall footprint. The entire maritime value chain, including cargo owners like Tchibo, has to demonstrate leadership in creating a decarbonized maritime sector. ZEMBA represents an actionable pathway to join forces with other cargo owners to lower and eventually eliminate our Scope 3 emissions from maritime.”

ZEMBA plans to issue a Request for Proposal (RfP) in 2023 to forward procure maritime shipping services that achieve zero or near-zero emissions on a lifecycle basis, for all greenhouse gases, not limited to carbon dioxide. The delivery of these services will be expected to start in 2025 or 2026.

Freight buyers are invited to join ZEMBA as a way to access zero-emission shipping. Shipping lines, in partnership with their fuel suppliers, are encouraged to prepare to participate in the RfP and seize the opportunity to lead, innovate, and shape the future of the maritime shipping industry.

As ZEMBA membership grows in the coming years, ZEMBA plans to run similar tenders with larger volumes of demand until zero-emission shipping becomes mainstream in the industry.

“Decisively shifting to zero emission maritime alternatives makes good business sense in a changing world where the business-as-usual approach no longer aligns with the values of many consumers around the world,” said Ingrid Irigoyen, President and CEO of ZEMBA and Director of the Aspen Shipping Decarbonization Initiative at the Aspen Institute.

“ZEMBA’s co-founders realise that we have an opportunity now to ensure that this clean energy transition in shipping works for businesses that depend on reliable, affordable, and environmentally responsible maritime transport into the future.”

Photo credit: Cargo Owners for Zero Emissions Vessels
Published: 10 March, 2023

LNG Bunkering

China: Ningbo Zhoushan Port completes first LNG bunkering operation for 2025

Bunkering vessel “Hai Yang Shi You 302” supplied more than 10,000 cubic metres of LNG bunker fuel to containership “MSC Adya” at the Ningbo-Zhoushan Port port on 5 January.

Published

3 days ago

January 10, 2025

Admin

China: Ningbo Zhoushan Port completes first LNG bunkering operation for 2025

Zhejiang Pilot Free Trade Zone Zhoushan Area on Wednesday (8 January) said Ningbo-Zhoushan Port successfully completed its first LNG bunkering operation for the year.

Bunkering vessel Hai Yang Shi You 302 supplied more than 10,000 cubic metres (m3) of LNG bunker fuel to containership MSC Adya at the port on 5 January.

Zhejiang Seaport International Trading, the bunker supplier for the operation, successfully obtained the Zhoushan Anchorage LNG bunkering licence in June 2024, extending refuelling services from dock to sea.

The company’s services cover Meishan, Chuanshan, Daxie and other port areas.

As China's first river-sea LNG transport and bunkering ship, Hai Yang Shi You is currently placed permanently at Ningbo Zhoushan Port, providing a variety of bunkering methods such as ship-to-ship and ship-to-shore.

Zhejiang Seaport International Trading will continue to expand the scope of bonded LNG bunkering operations and new alternative fuels such as green methanol, ammonia and biofuels in the Zhoushan Area.

Photo credit: Zhejiang Pilot Free Trade Zone Zhoushan Area
Published: 10 January, 2025

Nuclear

VARD and partners team up to explore nuclear propulsion for shipping

Project, which involves Knutsen Tankers and DNV, will evaluate fourth-generation nuclear reactor technologies for their viability in commercial shipping applications.

Published

3 days ago

January 10, 2025

Admin

VARD and partners team up in project to explore nuclear propulsion for shipping

Norway-based shipbuilder VARD on Friday (3 January) said it has partnered with the Norwegian University of Science and Technology in Ålesund, Norway and other key stakeholders in the NuProShip I project, which explores nuclear propulsion for the maritime sector.

NuProShip, short for "Nuclear Propulsion in Shipping," will evaluate fourth-generation nuclear reactor technologies for their viability in commercial shipping applications.

In this project, an extensive assessment of 99 companies developing advanced reactor technologies led to the selection of three promising reactor types:

Kairos Power (USA): Fluoride high-temperature molten salt reactor using Tri-structural Isotropic (TRISO) fuel particles, designed for robust and efficient operation.
Ultrasafe (USA): Helium-cooled gas reactor, also employing TRISO fuel particles, known for their resilience and safety in extreme conditions.
Blykalla (Sweden): Lead-cooled reactor concept utilizing uranium oxide as fuel, offering high efficiency with advanced cooling mechanisms.

VARD said TRISO fuel particles, noted for their durability and containment properties, play a crucial role in two of these reactor types.

“TRISO technology in fact, is renowned as one of the most resilient nuclear fuel types available today,” it added.

Alongside VARD, the NuProShip project is supported by other partners, including DNV, the Norwegian Maritime Administration, ship owner Knutsen Tankers, and the Spanish nuclear consultancy IDOM.

VARD’s primary contribution involves integrating these reactor systems into various vessel types, assessing the technical challenges to enable the future commercial use of nuclear-powered ships.

Photo credit: VARD
Published: 10 January, 2025

Bunker Fuel

Singapore: KPI OceanConnect, partners deliver first renewable diesel to cruise industry

Delivery of bunker fuel from Neste was made at Singapore Cruise Terminal, with the fuel sourced from Vopak Penjuru Terminal and transported to a cruise ship via barge “Maple”, operated by Global Energy.

Published

4 days ago

January 9, 2025

Admin

Singapore: KPI OceanConnect, partners deliver first renewable diesel to cruise industry

Global provider of marine energy solutions KPI OceanConnect on Wednesday (8 January) said it partnered with Neste and Global Energy on the first successful delivery of renewable diesel, also known as HVO100, for the cruise industry in Singapore.

The landmark delivery of Neste MY Renewable Diesel™ took place in November 2024 and marked a significant milestone for the Asia-Pacific marine sector.

Neste MY Renewable Diesel™ is made from 100% renewable raw materials and is a direct replacement for fossil diesel, helping the industry meet its sustainability goals.

The use of this renewable diesel can result in up to 90% greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction over its lifecycle compared to fossil diesel.

The fuel is a drop-in solution and is suitable for all diesel-powered engines without the need for additional investment or modification to engines or fuel infrastructure.

The delivery of renewable diesel from Neste was made at the Singapore Cruise Terminal, with the fuel sourced from Vopak Penjuru Terminal and transported to the cruise ship via bunker barge Maple, operated by Global Energy.

KPI OceanConnect facilitated the successful delivery of the renewable diesel, working closely with the vessel's technical team to ensure engine compliance. KPI OceanConnect collaborated with Neste to source the fuel and with Global Energy for operational agreements in Singapore waters.

Ee Pin Lee, Head of Commercial APAC, Renewable Products at Neste, said: "This first supply of Neste MY Renewable Diesel to the marine sector in Asia-Pacific is a significant milestone and demonstrates the versatility of the product across a wide range of applications where it can replace fossil diesel. It is an effective solution for enabling the marine sector to be more sustainable."

Chow Munee, Group Business Manager, Global Energy, added: “Partnering with Neste and KPI OceanConnect to supply renewable diesel to the marine sector in Singapore is an important step in helping our clients reduce their environmental impact. By providing seamless and reliable delivery of HVO, we are supporting the industry’s transition without compromising operational efficiency. We’re proud to play a role in driving these crucial efforts within the maritime sector.”

Jesper Sørensen, Head of Alternative Fuels and Carbon Markets at KPI OceanConnect, said: “We are proud to be industry first movers in sourcing and delivering HVO for our clients, helping them reduce their carbon footprint and achieve their environmental goals. By working closely with Neste and Global Energy, we were able to offer high-quality biofuel to our client, laying the groundwork for further fuel uptake and decarbonisation progress. This successful delivery is a testament to how partnerships can help advance the industry’s green transition.”

Photo credit: KPI OceanConnect
Published: 9 January, 2025