The maritime industry faces an urgent and complex challenge: to radically decarbonise and transition to sustainable fuels. This shift demands not only technological innovation but also a collaborative effort to build the necessary infrastructure and unlock investment.
Our Fuel Adoption programmes drive the adoption of new, sustainable fuels by assessing their viability, working with partners to develop and scale infrastructure for shipping and fuels, and fostering collaboration across the sector. From engaging with key stakeholders to reduce investment risks and unlock vital capital, to sharing evidence-based knowledge to support the sector's transition, we are committed to drive change towards a decarbonised global shipping.
The Silk Alliance
Zero-emissions shipping across the Indian and Pacific Oceans
Our flagship "Green Corridor Cluster" initiative is strategically positioned to lead the maritime energy transition, bringing together 19 partners across the maritime, fuel supply and financing value chains to focus on deployment of zero emission shipping in the world's biggest bunkering hub in Singapore. The members so far identified a fleet of 359 containerships operating across the Indian and Pacific Oceans with potential for significant emissions-saving impact while ensuring long-term scalability.
Maritime Fuel Supply Dialogues
Driving green hydrogen for shipping
We convene energy and transport ministries and private sector stakeholders in Africa and Asia to unlock cross-regional supply chains, leveraging region's potential for sustainable maritime fuels production, focusing on the implementation of financing mechanisms and policy levers.
Zero Emission Maritime Buyers Alliance
Kickstarting the market for maritime shipping's clean energy future
The Zero Emission Maritime Buyers Alliance (ZEMBA) is a first-of-its-kind buyers group within the maritime sector with the mission to accelerate commercial deployment of the most scalable clean energy shipping solutions, enable economies of scale for freight buyers and suppliers, and maximize positive impact beyond what any one freight buyer could accomplish alone. The Aspen Institute is a co-founder and facilitator of ZEMBA. Through competitive, forward procurement processes, ZEMBA aggregates freight buyer demand for the emissions reduction (environmental attributes) associated with clean energy-powered shipping. As a technical partner for this impactful initiative, the Decarb Hub provides expertise on maritime fuels and industry insights and advises on ZEMBA’s procurement process design with a focus on transparent and rigorous bid evaluation. This partnership aligns with mutual goals to advance zero-emission solutions at scale.
Sustainable First Mover Initiatives (SMFI)
A tool for an inclusive shipping transition
We identify high-potential locations for electrofuel production and bunkering, ensuring an equitable transition. Our analysis reveals key opportunities for sustainable fuel hubs, driving emissions reduction and benefiting local communities.
In partnership with the Environmental Defense Fund and through collaboration with Arup, we developed the SMFI identification tool to offer shipping stakeholders a way to assess a port’s potential to produce and/or bunker electrofuels, while ensuring that local clean energy access, land suitability, and decarbonisation efforts are not undermined.
Sustainable Finance for Shipping's Decarbonisation
Enabling and incentivising investments in shipping's energy transition
We collaborate with industry, finance, and policymakers to develop innovative financial mechanisms for shipping's net-zero transition. We facilitate dialogues and workshops to advance sustainable finance solutions and meet the IMO's 2050 goals.
