Shipping - Maersk: first large methanol container ship in service in 2024
The Danish container shipping company Maersk will put its first methanol-powered large container ship into service at the beginning of 2024. The newly built ship with a capacity of 16,000 20-foot standard containers (TEU) will enter service on the Asia-Europe route AE7 on February 9, a spokesperson for the shipping company announced in Hamburg on Thursday. The route, which starts in Ningbo in China and passes through the Suez Canal, connects Asian ports with European ports, including Germany's largest seaport in Hamburg.
Maersk has ordered a total of 18 units of the container ship built by Hyundai Heavy Industries in South Korea. Maersk, the world's second-largest container shipping company behind MSC, is aiming for "net zero" greenhouse gas emissions by 2040.
Methanol, which is produced in a climate-neutral way using green energy, is considered one of the most promising fuels to replace fossil fuels such as marine diesel or heavy fuel oil, which have been predominantly used to date. "Maersk has secured sufficient green methanol to cover the ship's maiden voyage and is continuing to work on procurement solutions for 2024/25 for its methanol-capable fleet of ships," the press release states.
The Danish shipping company launched the world's first container ship powered by green methanol in September. The "Laura Maersk" was christened in Copenhagen by EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. However, this ship is significantly smaller and is used for feeder traffic on the Baltic Sea.
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- Maersk, the international container shipping company based in Denmark, has set a goal to achieve "net zero" greenhouse gas emissions by 2040, focusing on alternative energies like methanol.
- The shipping industry is transitioning towards cleaner fuels, with Maersk considering methanol, produced in a climate-neutral manner using green energy, as one of the most promising replacements for traditional fuels like marine diesel.
- In line with this shift, Maersk, the world's second-largest container shipping company behind MSC, has ordered 18 methanol-powered container ships from Hyundai Heavy Industries in South Korea.
- By 2024, China's port of Ningbo and European ports, including Hamburg, will witness the debut of Maersk's first large methanol-powered container ship, capable of carrying 16,000 TEU.
- The increasing interest in alternative energies for container shipping has led to significant investments, with Maersk joining other companies in exploring methanol-powered vessels as a more sustainable solution for international shipping.
- The European Union (EU) is also actively supporting initiatives that reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the shipping sector, recognizing the impact of container shipping companies like Maersk on climate change.
- The successful implementation of alternative energy sources, such as methanol, by Maersk and other container shipping companies could help create a greener, more sustainable future for international shipping, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and minimizing environmental impact.
Source: www.stern.de
