Zero Emission Maritime Buyers Alliance (ZEMBA) to Seek First-Ever Commercial E-Fuel Deployment in Maritime Through Next Tender

Recommendation: Establish a market-led procurement that guarantees concrete pilots of low-carbon fuels in international shipping, with binding requirements, shared costs, and a transparent timetable to address the transformation path and avoid disruptions in plans.

The creation of a coordinated signal must be underpinned by political alignment to move toward common goals. This will be pushing established operators, shippers, and consumers to address sovereignty concerns, also taking into account national policies, and to join a renewed, environmentally focused transformation. The plan must be operational from day one, and avoid disruptions by unclear costs, while concrete milestones address development and ensure progress toward scale.

Key requisitos include a unified standard for fuel specifications, supply-chain traceability, and safety regimes, with an explicit plan to address pilot funding and risk-sharing. The process must take responsibility for cross-border alignment, ensure data transparency, robust performance metrics, and consumer confidence, aligning with port-state and flag regimes to accelerate progress toward scale.

Cost and risk sharing should follow an established model that redistributes burdens across the value chain, enabling operational pilots and scalable uptake. To attract broad apoio, the consortium should invite participants from manufacturers, service providers, and consumer-facing brands, enabling transformation that yields lower custos for end users and faster energy transition in ports and fleets.

United action requires a clear address of regulation, supply security, and sovereign interests; all actors must join a framework that reduces policy friction and moves toward a common, sustainable outcome. The emphasis should be on development of dedicated bunkering capacity, the establishment of regional hubs, and the renewed political will needed to align incentives and ensure resilience against shocks like fuel price swings or supply-chain disruptions.

Next Tender Roadmap: Driving the first commercial e-fuel deployment in maritime and QA for zero-emission shipping

Implement a three-phase action plan for market-entry of electro-fuels in shipping, starting with a strait corridor pilot and ending with a broader rollout, anchored by a rigorous QA framework and primary governance. The move hinges on a clear commitment from carriers, investors, and regulators to reduce risk and accelerate learning.

In the annual planning cycle, set concrete milestones within 12 months, aligning with the economies of scale expected as fleets convert from fossil-fueled operations. This current milestone is designed to demonstrate cost savings, reliability, and safety improvements, establishing a foundation for expansion across multiple routes and island hubs.

Phase 2 prioritizes the start of demonstrations with selected carriers operating in a strait corridor. Begin registering results and continue to scale to additional ships, between major ports, enabling a worldwide data set that informs best practices. The initiative will provide insights into methane management, feedstock sourcing, and the feasibility of electro-fuel use in existing propulsion systems. It does does not require disruptive changes to the core network, yet it requires robust risk-mitigation planning and regulatory alignment with cop26 commitments.

Engage stakeholders to address opposition and penalties for non-compliance, while preserving a pragmatic scope that reflects current capabilities. This approach recognizes challenges such as supply constraints, capital intensity, and interoperability across fleets, but capitalizes on the opportunity to create economies of scope and accelerate the transition within shipping networks.

The rollout considers the start point in april with an island-focused coordination event, where shipowners, port authorities, and technology providers will discuss timelines, data-sharing protocols, and QA procedures. The event will release initial insights, outlining how carriers can join the initiative, what metrics will be tracked, and how current commitments will translate into measurable targets and goals for 2025 and beyond.

To sustain momentum, establish a registration process for interested parties to submit capability statements, timelines, and risk registers. Those who participate will benefit from a clear path to scale, with ongoing reporting of transported volumes, fleet performance, and emissions reductions. A transparent cadence–annual reviews, public releases of performance indicators, and continuous improvement loops–will underpin investor confidence and stakeholder accountability.

Ultimately, the plan aims to move from pilot to broad adoption by demonstrating a viable business case, validating technical readiness, and delivering a credible pathway to net-zero shipping outcomes. The current narrative will emphasize the creation of resilient supply chains, the ability to start small and grow, and the potential to join forces with other players to meet ambitious regulation timelines and COP26-era expectations. The aspirational trajectory hinges on a steady driver: progression from test runs toward fully market-ready, low-carbon transport solutions across strait-linked corridors and worldwide networks.

Bid Eligibility and Participation: who can bid, required documentation, and submission timelines

Submit bid package today after confirming eligibility; this renewed call for bids emphasizes a just, transparent process with signed documents and clear cost disclosures. Ensure your system can support secure submissions and that your team is ready to meet the long-term commitments expected in this program.

Who can bid: eligible entities include shipowners and operators, charterers, energy suppliers, freight-service providers, and lenders with proven capacity to back operations across global routes. Those with registered fleets, demonstrated financial health, and a track record of compliance with environmental and safety standards are preferred. Companies with operations in several regions should participate to strengthen low-carbon, energy-efficient logistics across ports and corridors.

Required documentation: signed corporate documents; proof of registration; board-approved authorizations; audited financial statements for the past three years; evidence of capability to meet long-term commitments; detailed fleet or asset lists with tonnage and annual throughput in tons; certificates of compliance with applicable environmental, health, and safety rules; anti-corruption and conflict-of-interest disclosures; signed non-disclosure agreements; key personnel resumes; and evidence of digital security controls. The underlying principle is to avoid delays by ensuring all materials are complete before the start of the submission window.

Submission timelines: the call for bids opens today and runs for 45 days; requests for clarification must be submitted in writing within the first 20 days; final proposals must be uploaded by the stated deadline. Submissions must be in PDF or securely signed formats; verify file names and include a signed cover sheet. Responses received after the deadline will be treated as late and may be rejected, unless an extension is granted by the system administrator after due review.

Evaluation and enforcement: bids will be assessed for capability to deliver low-carbon energy solutions with cost efficiency and reliability across sea transport corridors. Evaluation will consider track record, capacity to scale on a voluntary basis, and the ability to shrink long-term costs and reductions. The process narrows risk by scoring governance, financial stability, and operational contingency plans; any misrepresentation or non-disclosure could trigger enforcement actions and disqualification. The goal is to minimize vulnerability in the global supply chain and to push those with robust plans to the top of the list.

Additional notes: a global mix of industries and ports will be favored; bidders should demonstrate flexibility to work with various energy solutions and logistics models. Keep in mind opposition or political considerations should be addressed transparently, with clear milestones for implementing improvements and reporting on progress. Start now to align with the renewed framework and to position your company for long-term partnerships that can reduce costs and improve efficiency across the freight network.

Fuel Technologies, Vessel Coverage, and Operational Scope in the Deployment

Recommendation: Start a phased poly-fuel retrofit across the existing fleet, beginning with six vessels in waters near main bunker hubs, to deliver projected reductions in greenhouse gas and move toward carbon-neutral operations within 3-5 years. This demanding approach builds confidence among investors and partners, while delivering early efficiency gains and scalable economies as more ships are equipped.

Fuel technologies should span a three-tier ladder: existing drop-in options for immediate burn reductions, carbon-neutral synthetic blends for longer-term uptake, and poly-fuel configurations that allow rapid switching without extensive downtime. The system should be located near port bunkering hubs to minimize logistics and maximize efficiency across corridors. Protocols for bunkering, fuel quality, and tank management must be standardized and tested, with triple-checked safety margins. The introduced design leverages modular, ikea-style kits to accelerate retrofits while maintaining compatibility with current fleets and future expansions, supporting ambitions to reduce carbon intensity across operations.

Coverage must map primary traded routes and waters where demand signals are strongest, prioritizing container, bulk, and tanker segments. The fleet will be designed with modular fuel-lean layouts to enable a move between fuels as supply becomes likely, with a staged start aligned to port readiness and a first-year pilots program. Lookahead planning should ensure economies of scale, locate retrofit hubs near strategic partners, and use standardized kits to minimize downtime. This approach keeps the current movers moving while expanding in parallel to new trades, achieving a broad, scalable footprint in the shortest practical window.

Governance and operations will rely on a clear, data-driven protocol framework that guides onboarding and performance tracking. Current and projected load factors will be monitored to avoid bottlenecks, and contracts with traders and bunkering suppliers will be structured to support flexibility. Engage key stakeholders, including pernod and ricard supply partners, to test cross-portfolio logistics and risk management. A triple-criteria evaluation–cost, carbon intensity, and reliability–will guide decisions, and progress milestones will be taken by the core team and investors, enabling a confident move toward larger-scale adoption.

QA and Verification: measuring emissions, data governance, and lifecycle accounting

Adopt a binding QA and verification framework anchored in standardised data governance and lifecycle accounting to ensure credible, comparable emissions data across regions and member organisations.

1. Measurement framework
   • Define a standard metric set: emissions intensity per tonne-kilometre, energy use per tonne, and lifecycle indicators spanning cradle-to-end-use. Establish four data levels: vessel level, fleet level, regional portfolio, and global aggregate.
   • Source data from bunker delivery notes (BDN), fuel supplier statements, voyage data records, and real-time sensor streams. Ensure data flows within a trusted pipeline and preserve provenance for every record.
   • Apply quality controls: automated validation, anomaly detection, reconciliation with external registries, and standearth-aligned checks to ensure consistency. Track earlier data corrections and provide justification for changes.
2. Data governance and trust
   • Define roles: data stewards, QA leads, compliance officers, and independent verifiers. Establish binding policies, explicit access controls, and audit trails. Maintain an established framework scalable to millions of records.
   • Data sharing and confidentiality: specify which organisations can access which zones, and implement anonymisation where appropriate to protect competitive information while enabling regional benchmarking.
3. Lifecycle accounting and scope
   • Apply cradle-to-end-use accounting, covering feedstock origin, refining, distribution, bunkering, use phase, and end-of-life management. Include well-to-tank and use-phase considerations, aligned with climate governance expectations.
   • Address tiered disclosures by zone: four zones with tailored metrics, while preserving comparability at the global level.
4. Verification and assurance
   • Utilise independent verifiers with global recognition. Require periodic validation of data feeds, sample audits, and full-methodology disclosures. Include penalty clauses for material misreporting or gaps in data coverage.
   • Publish a trusted report pack for consumers and regulators, showing data lineage, quality scores, and remediation actions.
5. Implementation framework and milestones
   • Phase 1: establish data architecture, governance, and baseline metrics within four quarters; target a wide regional roll-out among four groups of members.
   • Phase 2: integrate bunker data and trader records; scale to worldwide coverage; demonstrate impacts on climate and resilience for the supply chain, including aviation-related segments where relevant.
   • Phase 3: continuous improvement, with discovery workflows to identify gaps and opportunities to reduce data latency and improve levels of confidence.
6. Risk management and adaptation
   • Monitor regulatory shifts and market expectations; align with established standards to minimise penalties for non-compliance. Maintain data governance within a robust state-level or state-like oversight structure. This framework will help organisations meet climate accountability expectations.

This approach supports worldwide adoption across zones and regions, enabling organisations to address impacts, engage consumers, and build trust with regulators and trading partners while driving continuous performance improvements.

Commercial Terms: offtake agreements, pricing signals, and risk-sharing mechanisms

Recommendation: implement a five-year, industry-led offtake framework with a concrete base commitment of 0.8 Mt/year, scalable to 2.6 Mt/year by year five, distributed across regions and at least three countries; by January 2026 publish initial schedules and price signals, and establish governance capable of immediate ramp-up and secure a larger, more resilient fuel supply for a growing global fleet.

Pricing signals: implement a two-component structure: (i) base price tied to a transparent regional benchmark (such as a power/energy hub proxy) and (ii) a performance premium/discount linked to delivery reliability and emissions reductions. Set quarterly updates with a defined floor and ceiling: floor = benchmark minus 25%; ceiling = benchmark plus 40%. Use currency hedges, inflation indexing, and an annual true-up to reflect feedstock shifts. Translate the signal into national market discussions to reduce complexity and align with COP26 initiatives.

Risk-sharing: create a cross-regional risk pool and reserve accounts to absorb price swings, require letters of credit or performance bonds, and impose a penalty for late shipments or shortfalls. Include force majeure, step-in rights, and independent verification of delivery data. Set dispute resolution in arbitration under a neutral legal framework; standardize data sharing to support a secure audit trail.

Legal and policy alignment: ensure contracts reflect national law and international frameworks, including COP26 initiatives; address territorial considerations and cross-border exchange; preparing national implementations with standardized templates to reduce opposition and delay; does this approach address immediate supplier concerns while maintaining robust governance; ensure liability terms and data privacy; compliance with sanctions.

Implementation and governance: form an industry-led steering forum with participants from countries, regions, and investors; publish annual reviews and short-term milestones; integrate systems across refining, logistics, and storage; plan poly-fuel compatibility including natural components; specify concrete KPIs; address potential opposition with transparent governance; recognize the ongoing development of emissions reductions and energy security; long-term objectives.

Infrastructure and Regulatory Readiness: port fueling, supply chain, standards, and certifications

Recommendation: Establish binding, phased readiness for port fueling infrastructure, supply chains, and certification pathways, with paris-aligned targets and approximately four pilot hubs to accelerate implementation momentum.

Port fueling readiness should prioritize located deep-sea hubs to install shore-to-ship units compatible with fuels, with two main configurations–mobile units for flexibility and fixed jets for high-throughput vessels. Include comprehensive safety, commissioning, and routine maintenance programs, plus demand-driven grid and energy-management integration to support rapid refueling without compromising ship schedules. This practical approach reduces wait times, supports climate goals, and provides a clear path to early operating capability for maersks and other fleets moving toward carbon-neutral operations.

Supply-chain readiness requires a poly network of qualified suppliers, standardized contracting, and price transparency to manage annual costs. Establish long-term supply agreements, track life-cycle costs, and implement risk-management profiles that can be updated annually. Early procurement of critical components and mutually recognized testing regimes will minimize delays, potentially lowering total costs and creating resilience against market shocks.

Standards and certifications should converge on a standearth-enabled data framework that tracks origin, testing, and compliance across borders. Harmonize documentation, implement binding certificates, and align with paris principles to reduce friction at port-call moments. Practical, cross-border rules will support earlier adoption, while maintaining robust safety and environmental safeguards for the global fleet, including maersks-driven operations constrained under strict performance targets.

Implementation planning calls for a four-year horizon with clearly defined milestones, pilots in strategically located corridors, and mechanisms to monitor momentum. Engage port authorities, flag states, and operator coalitions to ensure the program is binding yet adaptable, so that industry and regulators can collectively seek improvements without disrupting steady operations and climate objectives. The effort aims to encourage industry-wide alignment toward concrete targets, while maintaining a focus on deep-sea lanes and regional clusters that dominate annual freight flows.

Aspeto	Current state	Gap	Ação	Timeline
Port fueling infrastructure	Limited shore-side equipment; fragmented capabilities	Inadequate standardization and safety regimes	Install certified fueling jets, mobile units, and grid-ready interfaces; implement standearth-compliant data capture	Year 1-2
Supply chain transparency	Fragmented supplier base; inconsistent price signals	Low visibility on price and performance	Establish poly-supplier networks; publish price indices; annual cost review	Year 1-3
Standards and certifications	Nationally varied rules; limited cross-border recognition	Harmonization gaps	Adopt Paris-aligned framework; issue binding certificates; require joint audits	Year 2-3
Data systems	Isolated records across entities	Poor interoperability	Launch standearth-based data platform; mandate cross-system data exchange	Year 1-3