Maersk’s first methanol-powered 2,100 teu containership is set to sail from the yard in South Korea to Copenhagen, a voyage of 21,500 km prior to an official naming ceremony in the Danish capital.
The Danish company has signed a deal with OCI for green bio-methanol fuel for the voyage that the company says will provide 65% - 80% lifecycle reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.
The green methanol is produced by OCI at a plant in the US from captured biogas from decomposing organic waste in landfills. The green methanol will be shipped from the US to South Korea in a product tanker using conventional fuel and the impact of this is factored into the 65% - 80% lifecycle reduction in GHG emissions.
“The green methanol market is still in its infancy and frankly we had not expected to be able to secure a maiden voyage on green methanol for this vessel. So, we are very proud to have achieved this significant milestone. We expect a diverse green fuel mix for the future, with green bio-methanol from biomass waste being available now,” says Morten Bo Christiansen, Head of Energy Transition, AP Moller – Maersk.
Maersk has been a first mover in methanol fuelled containerships, but others have followed in their wake with newbuilding orders, including HMM, MSC, and CMA CGM.
While green methanol can provide significant GHG reductions supply of the fuel has remained a concern.
Maersk said the maiden voyage would provide real operational experience with methanol as a fuel for its seafarers.
The company aims to transport a minimum of 25% of Ocean cargo using green fuels by 2030.
Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission, will be the godmother to the 2,100 teu vessel at a naming ceremony in Copenhagen on 14 September.
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