Maersk Gets World’s 1st Containership Operating On Green Methanol

A.P. Moller Maersk, the renowned Danish shipping company, has reached a significant milestone by successfully delivering the world’s inaugural containership powered by green methanol.

The company recently finalized the signing and took delivery of the vessel HMD Hull 4168, a vessel constructed by Hyundai Mipo Dockyard Co. and Hyundai Heavy Industries Co. This groundbreaking container ship, boasting a capacity of 2,100 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU), is now preparing for its inaugural journey to Copenhagen.

Spanning an impressive 21,500 kilometers from Ulsan, South Korea, to Copenhagen, Denmark, this voyage holds invaluable importance for Maersk. It provides the opportunity for their seafarers to gain hands-on experience with the new engines and the utilization of methanol as fuel.

This experience serves as vital preparation as Maersk anticipates the arrival of a fleet of new, substantial ocean-faring vessels that will operate on methanol beginning in 2024.

Following the successful deployment of this feeder vessel, Maersk has ambitious plans to introduce a fleet of 18 large ocean-going ships, each with a capacity ranging from 16,000 to 17,200 TEUs.

The delivery of these vessels is scheduled between 2024 and 2025.

Maersk acknowledges the paramount role played by this container vessel in realizing its commitment to achieving carbon neutrality. It signifies the commencement of a new era in shipping, where collective efforts are made to minimize greenhouse gas emissions and pave the way for a greener future.

The historic new feeder vessel will be honoured by Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission, who will serve as its godmother. This further highlights this achievement’s significance and recognition in the industry.

In collaboration with OCI Global, a Dutch producer and distributor of hydrogen-based products, Maersk has successfully secured a supply of green bio methanol for the maiden voyage of its groundbreaking vessel. This ISCC-certified green bio methanol will power the ship’s first trip, underscoring Maersk’s unwavering commitment to decarbonization.

Maersk recently placed an order with Yangzijiang Shipbuilding Group for six mid-sized container vessels per their ongoing decarbonization strategy. These vessels, each with a capacity of 9,000 TEUs, will be equipped with dual-fuel engines capable of operating on both green methanol and fuel oil.

The delivery of these ships is expected in 2026 and 2027, further solidifying Maersk’s dedication to sustainable shipping practices.

Maersk’s achievement in delivering the world’s first green methanol-powered containership signifies a remarkable leap forward in the industry’s journey toward environmental responsibility.

The company’s commitment to decarbonization, evident in its groundbreaking vessel and future fleet plans, sets a positive example for the entire shipping industry and reinforces the urgency of transitioning to greener fuels and technologies.

Reference: Offshore-Energy, Ship & Bunker, The Maritime Executive

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Source: Maritime Shipping News