Hapag-Lloyd and Shell Western LNG B.V. have signed a multi-year agreement for the supply of liquefied biomethane, with deliveries starting immediately.

The deal builds on a strategic collaboration established in 2023 to accelerate the decarbonisation of alternative marine fuels.

Hapag-Lloyd says biomethane — also known as bio-LNG — plays a "significant role" in the company's decarbonisation strategy, which aims to achieve net-zero fleet operations by 2045.

Shell, meanwhile, notes that it has expanded its offering to include liquefied biomethane since 2024, which is now available at 22 locations within its global LNG bunkering network.

"This agreement helps secure the fuel certainty and supply reliability we need to further expand the use of waste-based renewable fuels across our fleet — cutting emissions without compromising the quality and reliability our customers expect," commented Jan Christensen, Senior Director Global Fuel Purchasing at Hapag-Lloyd AG. "Collaborations like this demonstrate that true leadership in shipping means acting now — using lower-emission fuels already available today and not waiting for future solutions."

Dexter Belmar, Shell's Vice President Global Downstream LNG, remarked: "Bio-LNG is no longer a concept — it's here, and it's fueling the next chapter of shipping decarbonisation. These long-term deals help build the confidence needed to scale renewable fuels."

The liquefied biomethane supplied to Hapag-Lloyd is ISCC EU certified, which the two companies say ensures sustainability of the feedstock production, traceability of products through the supply chain, and verified reductions of life cycle emissions.

Biomethane is a drop-in fuel that Hapag-Lloyd says will enable its LNG dual-fuel vessels to transition to renewable fuels without equipment modifications. The fuel is derived from the decomposition of organic waste — such as crop residues, livestock manure, and food waste — with biogas upgraded to biomethane by removing CO₂ and impurities. The liquefied biomethane is then fed into the local gas grid, liquefied, and supplied to ships on a mass-balanced basis.

Hapag-Lloyd operates a fleet of 313 container ships with a total transport capacity of 2.5 million TEU.