Berlin-based start-up Zero44, which specializes in emissions management software, and Frontier Fuels, a provider of sustainable biofuels, are entering into a strategic partnership.
The aim is to support shipping companies in reducing their emissions and complying with the latest regulations, according to the announcement of the partnership.
Background to the initiative: Following the introduction of the CII and EU ETS regulations in 2023 and 2024, FuelEU Maritime is now creating further compliance requirements for the industry. Forward planning becomes even more important. Shipping companies must now take a strategic approach to emissions management and weigh up options such as pooling, banking, borrowing or penalties.
Biofuels as the answer to FuelEU Maritime
“For many companies, biofuels have become the most cost-effective solution,” says Johann Maack, Managing Director at Frontier Fuels. “This is why biofuels are becoming more popular in the shipping industry, they are no longer just seen as a short-term solution. Their availability is improving and regulatory frameworks such as FuelEU Maritime are driving faster adoption.”
Despite the growing interest in biofuels, many shipping companies are finding it difficult to integrate them into their bunker strategies, according to the new partners. Common challenges include the availability of suitable fuels, their technical compatibility with existing engines and what quantity and blend is required to comply with regulations. The partnership between Zero44 and Frontier Fuels aims to address these issues by simplifying the use of biofuels and providing concrete support in implementing compliance requirements.
The Zero44 software from Flagship Founders is designed to enable shipping companies, ship managers and charterers to “manage emissions requirements proactively and efficiently”. Users can calculate emissions for entire reporting years, specific periods or individual voyages – either with the help of ship-specific data models or based on their own consumption forecasts. To further improve the planning function, the start-up has developed an extended recommendation model for the use of biofuels.
“Our software provides precise recommendations on which biofuel quantities are necessary to reduce emissions and avoid FuelEU Maritime penalties,” says Friederike Hesse, Managing Director and co-founder. “By incorporating ship-specific data, operational profiles, EU exposure and fuel blends, we go far beyond generic recommendations. Instead, we provide concrete, data-based recommendations for action.”
Integrated solution
By integrating Frontier Fuels into the planning module, users will be able to directly check the benefits of using Frontier Fuels’ Bloom E (B100) biofuel for their fleet. Bloom E was reportedly developed specifically for use in shipping and has a well-to-wake greenhouse gas intensity of just 4 gCO₂eq/MJ – significantly lower than conventional biofuels, whose emission factors are often four to five times higher. Despite this strong environmental balance, Bloom E should remain competitively priced. Frontier Fuels also offers flexibility in terms of blending ratios, delivery volumes and port locations, making it easier to integrate into existing bunker processes.
“With our solution, customers can easily compare different strategies and choose the one that best suits their operations and business models,” says Hesse. The aim is to retain flexibility: Users should be able to integrate their own suppliers and price models for the comparison.
