BMZ Initiates Decarbonization Alliances for Sustainable Aviation and Shipping

At the invitation of State Secretary Jochen Flasbarth, the signatories of the “Hamburg Declaration on the Decarbonization of Global Shipping” and the “Hamburg Declaration on Green Aviation” met at the BMZ in Berlin during the Berlin Energy Transition Week on March 17, 2025. At the Hamburg Sustainability Conference in October 2024, companies along the entire value chain had intensified their cooperation on decarbonizing aviation and shipping. On Monday, March 17, 2025, five new companies joined, and an operational working structure with a secretariat and specific implementation groups was established.

Flasbarth emphasized: “Shipping emits more greenhouse gases than Germany, and aviation also contributes significantly to climate change. Our goal is sustainable and climate-neutral shipping and long-haul aviation. To achieve this, we are bringing together the entire value chain – from renewable energy to buyers of green fuel.”
The alliances in the shipping and aviation sectors are working to establish “green aviation hubs” and “green shipping hubs and corridors” worldwide. Partners from ports, shipping companies, fuel producers, logistics companies and governments are attracting further partners. The meeting marks the first cross-industry discussion on implementation. The Green Hydrogen Business Alliance is providing the secretariat.

BMZ partner countries in which these hubs are established also benefit from the expansion of sustainable transport infrastructure. One example is the port of Tanger Med in Morocco. Other participants include ENERTRAG SE, which is planning a hydrogen production plant in Namibia, and HIF, which produces green hydrogen in Chile. Future buyers of green fuel, such as shipping companies, are also part of the alliances.

Aviation and shipping play a central role in global trade and mobility, but they also contribute significantly to global warming, accounting for around five percent of global CO₂ emissions. Both industries are faced with the challenge of converting their propulsion systems while remaining economically stable and efficient. While road and rail transport are increasingly turning to electrification, this is more complex for long-haul flights and maritime transport. Innovative approaches and alternative fuels, such as hydrogen from renewable energies, are needed here.

The undersigned companies have agreed to collaborate on research, development and investment to develop renewable fuels and adapt facilities accordingly. This offers them the opportunity to be pioneers in a new value chain.