Press Release
Press Release
Press Contacts: Erik Cummins, Matt Hyams, Olivia Thomas
03.09.23
Last night, during the Aspen Ideas: Climate event in Miami Beach, the Aspen Institute was pleased to announce the formation of the Zero Emission Maritime Buyers Alliance (ZEMBA), alongside co-founders Amazon, Patagonia and Tchibo. Pillsbury has assisted the Aspen Institute for several years on this project, including providing strategic, regulatory and corporate advice.
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 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 decarbonization,” 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.”
“We are honored to have assisted the Aspen Institute in the creation of this innovative alliance. We hope it will drive reductions in carbon emissions in maritime cargo transportation,” said Jeff Merrifield, a Pillsbury Energy partner in Washington, DC. Other Pillsbury attorneys assisting the Aspen Institute included Corporate partner Jeffrey Grill and associate Ava Gerami, Antitrust & Competition partner Michael Sibarium and attorney Evan Storm, and Tax special counsel Robert Logan.
By providing committed demand for new 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 fuel production, infrastructure and clean maritime services.