Maersk Exercises Options for Four More Methanol-Powered Containerships

A.P. Moller – Maersk on Monday confirmed it has exercised options for four additional newbuild containerships to be powered by carbon neutral methanol.

The ships will be built by South Korea’s Hyundai Heavy Industries with delivery in 2025. Maersk placed its original order for eight 16,000 TEU methanol-fueled ships with HHI in August 2021, with delivery planned in the first quarter of 2024. The order included options for four additional ships.

The additional of the vessels will replace a similar amount of existing capacity in Maersk’s fleet that is reaching end-of-life, the company said in an emailed statement to gCaptain.

“Once fully phased in, the 12 vessels will generate total annual CO2 emissions savings of 1.5 million tons or 4.5% of total Maersk fleet emissions and offer Maersk customers truly carbon neutral transportation at scale on the high seas,” the statement said.

CAPEX for the four vessels is included in current Maersk guidance for 2021-22.

Maersk unveiled the design of the new ships in December, revealing a forward accommodation designed to maximize cargo capacity. The funnel is also designed with a reduced footprint and will be located at the stern to further maximize cargo space.

The vessels, measuring 350 meters long and 53.5 meters wide, will come with a dual fuel engine setup that will enable operation on carbon-neutral green methanol as well as conventional low Sulphur fuel. The ships will include a 16,000 cubic meter fuel tank allowing them to complete a full round trip (from Asia to Europe, for example) running on green methanol without having to refuel.

By using green methanol as a fuel, Maersk says the vessels will achieve 20% improved Energy Efficiency per transported container compared to the industry average.

Maersk also has a single 2,100 TEU methanol-powered dual fuel feeder ship on order at Hyundai Mipo Dockyards with delivery planned by 2023.