ZIM Integrated Shipping Services Ltd. (ZIM) said it signed a ten-year marine liquefied natural gas (LNG) sales and purchase agreement, valued at more than US$1 billion with Shell NA LNG, LLC (Shell) to supply ten LNG-fueled vessels.

The said ships will be deployed on ZIM's flagship ZIM Container Service Pacific (ZCP), on Asia to USEC trade.

In its release, ZIM noted that these ten 15,000 TEU vessels are expected to enter into service during 2023-2024 and will be transporting goods from China and South Korea to US East Coast and the Caribbean.

LNG-powered fleet by 2023

ZIM noted that about 23% of total shipping emissions are from the container segment alone and with increasing global trade of goods.

It added that these emissions need to be addressed on a prompt basis and LNG is the lowest carbon fuel available at scale today and it provides 20% less GHG emissions when compared to conventional marine fuels.

In addition to GHG emissions reduction, ZIM said LNG emits virtually no Sulphur oxides (SOx) and particulate matter (PM), while significantly reducing nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions. 

For ZIM, on the basis that LNG emits 20% less GHG emissions when compared to conventional marine fuels, using LNG on these ten ships is equivalent to having two out of the ten vessels in the fleet with zero emission. 

"With the addition of significant LNG-powered capacity to our fleet, beginning in 2023, we have positioned ZIM as a leader in carbon intensity reduction among global liners," said Eli Glickman, ZIM president and CEO.

"We are pleased to execute this long-term supply agreement with Shell to secure LNG at competitive terms and look forward to partnering with a global industry leader such as Shell as we take an important step to ensure our fuel sourcing is well planned and of the highest quality," he added.

Glickman also noted that ZIM's growing LNG-powered fleet will enable it to be more carbon and cost-efficient while improving our competitive position, particularly on strategic Asia to USEC trade, and allowing customers to reduce their carbon footprint.

Steve Hill, executive vice president, of Energy Marketing at Shell congratulated ZIM for introducing the world's first LNG-fueled Very Large Container Ship (VLCS) fleet to operate on the Asia-North America shipping route.

"We are delighted to collaborate with them on their impressive efforts to reduce emissions in their maritime supply chain. Decarbonization of the shipping industry must begin today, and LNG is a lower emission fuel choice currently available in meaningful volumes, and via liquefied biomethane and liquified e-methane, offers a credible pathway to net zero GHG emissions," ZIM said.