Watch: How Maersk Will Launch World’s First Methanol-enabled Container Vessel
A.P. Moller - Maersk (Maersk) has successfully secured green methanol for the maiden voyage of the world’s first methanol-enabled container vessel. Achieving this green fuel milestone is a significant step for the company and the industry’s efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Maersk has signed a deal with Dutch producer OCI Global on the delivery of green bio-methanol for the maiden journey.
The 21,500 km trip from Ulsan, South Korea to Copenhagen, Denmark -- more than halfway around the globe – will provide real operational experience for Maersk seafarers handling the new engines and using methanol as fuel, as the company prepares to receive a fleet of new, large ocean-going methanol-enabled ships from 2024.
To meet the ambitious 2040 target of net zero greenhouse gas emissions in time Maersk aims to transport a minimum of 25% of Ocean cargo using green fuels by 2030, compared to a 2020 baseline.
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The 2,100 TEU (twenty-foot-equivalent) landmark methanol-enabled feeder vessel is an important step toward the long-term objective of gradually renewing the entire fleet to operate solely on green fuels.
Morten Bo Christiansen, Head of Energy Transition, A.P. Moller - Maersk said: “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.”
OCI produces its green methanol at a US-based facility by using captured biogas from decomposing organic waste in landfills.
The method can contribute to a greener gas grid while capturing harmful methane emissions that would arise from the waste feedstock if left untouched.
OCI’s green methanol is certified by International Sustainability & Carbon Certification (ISCC) in accordance with the EU Renewable Energy Directive.
