Maersk and Shanghai Port Group Forge Green Fuel Partnership

Danish shipping giant A.P. Moller-Maersk (Maersk) and Shanghai International Port Group (SIPG) have announced a strategic partnership for a Shanghai Port methanol marine fuel project. The agreement sees the two industry heavyweights collaborating to develop vessel-to-vessel green methanol bunkering operations following the delivery of Maersk’s green methanol containerships in 2024.

The initiative supports Maersk’s ambitious net-zero emissions target by 2040 and the upcoming deployment of 19 dual-fuel vessels capable of running on green methanol. Maersk said establishing port bunkering infrastructure for methanol is essential for achieving these goals.

Vincent Clerc, CEO of A.P. Moller-Maersk, highlighted the importance of global collaboration in building green fuel bunkering infrastructure for servicing methanol vessels. “We are very pleased to form the partnership with SIPG, leveraging its strong capabilities in bunkering service and port operation,” he said. “Through joint efforts, we can provide low-carbon logistics service for our customers, also contributing to China’s pledge to be carbon neutral by 2060.”

This collaboration also aligns with SIPG’s commitment to becoming a leader in developing green and ecological ports. As the main operator of the world’s busiest container port, the agreement will support Shanghai Port’s aspiration to become one of the first commercial green methanol refuelling points and a regional green methanol fuel bunkering center.

Gu Jinshan, Chairman of Shanghai International Port Group, stated that establishing the green fuel bunkering service would be another milestone for SIPG. “SIPG will continue to work with shipping companies to foster the Shanghai shipping hub gateway and the green, low-carbon transformation of the shipping industry in Shanghai,” he said.

The partnership will progress in stages, with the first phase seeing SIPG as Maersk’s potential energy bunkering service provider, conducting vessel-to-vessel bunkering and fuel tank storage at port. In the potential second stage, the parties will explore forming an all-round energy strategic partnership to promote the extension from bunkering services to the upstream of the green methanol industry chain.

Maersk this week unveiled the design for its first green methanol-powered containership, a 2,100 TEU capacity feeder ship due planned for delivery this year from Hyundai Mipo Dockyard. Maersk also has orders for 18 larger containerships (16,000-17,000 TEUs) at South Korea’s Hyundai Heavy Industries with deliveries planned in 2024 and 2025. To power the fleet, the company has been busy lining up suppliers to source the green methanol fuel needed.

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