For Second Year in a Row, Financial Times Names Pillsbury the Most Innovative Energy Transition Law Firm

The firm was acknowledged for its pivotal role in representing The Aspen Institute and Cargo Owners for Zero-Emissions Vessels (coZEV) in the creation of ZEMBA, the Zero-Maritime Buyers Alliance, a key initiative dedicated to accelerating the decarbonization of the maritime shipping sector. Over the past two years, the team of Pillsbury lawyers, has collaborated with Aspen and coZEV to launch the ZEMBA initiative, which was designed to accelerate investment in and development of zero-carbon maritime fuel services.

Among ZEMBA’s many notable achievements, the alliance closed a deal for zero-carbon fuel services with global container shipping giant Hapag-Lloyd, and its members collectively committed to purchasing over one billion container miles of zero-emission shipping. The commitment is expected to avoid at least 82,000 metric tons of CO2e over two years through Hapag-Lloyd’s exclusively waste-based biomethane service.

As part of a recent interview with Financial Times, partner and Energy practice leader Jeff Merrifield stated, “This group of entities came together and said: ‘We want to buy the services of maritime transport, and we’re willing to do it with a bit of a premium to incentivize the creation of the product.’”

In addition to Merrifield, Pillsbury team members advising on this matter include Corporate partner Jeffrey Grill, Antitrust & Competition partner Michael Sibarium, Global Sourcing & Technology Transactions partner Aaron Oser and Tax special counsel Robert Logan, with contributions from members of the firm’s Nonprofit, Employment Law and Government Law & Strategies teams as well.

While shipping lines are theoretically eager to reduce their share of global greenhouse gas emissions, most customers still rely on traditional fossil fuels, as many are hesitant to bear the high costs associated with non-fossil fuel alternatives. However, Merrifield emphasized that the initiative will have truly succeeded once cleaner propulsion becomes so widely adopted that its cost falls below that of traditional fuels.

“The intention was to provide the initial incentive to get the shipping lines to provide these kinds of services,” Merrifield added. “I think the project has demonstrated that successfully.”

To read the full report, click here.

Pillsbury’s energy insights inform companies around the world and across industries as they evolve and adapt to the challenges of the energy transition. From advancing new zero-carbon technologies to developing strategies for established companies to meet decarbonization goals, Pillsbury provides energy stakeholders with comprehensive guidance based on vast industry experience and a track record of innovation and success.

Click here, here and here to see Pillsbury’s previous Most Innovative Law Firms recognitions.