Join our crew and become one of the 110,333 members that receive our newsletter.

Maersk Methanol power

Image courtesy Maersk

Maersk Takes Delivery of World’s First Methanol-Fueled Containership

Mike Schuler
Total Views: 3989
July 11, 2023

Maersk has announced the delivery of the world’s first methanol-powered containership.

The vessel, a 2,100 TEU capacity feeder ship, is the first of 25 carbon neutral containerships Maersk has on order that will be powered by green methanol fuel.

The 172-meter-long vessel was ordered in July 2021 from Hyundai Mipo Dockyard in South Korea. The vessel, which is registered in Denmark, will be operated on a Baltic shipping route between Northern Europe and the Bay of Bothnia.

Maersk last month announced it had secured the ISCC certified green biomethanol for the ship’s maiden voyage from OCI Global. Under an agreement, OCI Global (Euronext: OCI) will supply Maersk with the ISCC certified green biomethanol for the ship’s maiden voyage this summer to Northern Europe via the Suez Canal. The vessel will bunker at several major ports along the way, including the Port of Rotterdam.

An illustration of Maersk’s 2,100 TEU capacity feeder ship under construction. Image courtesy Maersk

Maersk has set ambitious sustainability goals, aiming to become carbon neutral by 2040, which is a decade ahead of most other companies in the sector. The company has also set nearer-term targets that call for a 50% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions intensity from its ocean fleet and a 70% reduction in absolute emissions from its fully controlled terminals by 2030.

To meet these goals, Maersk has on order 24 additional green methanol-powered ships, including 12 16,000 TEU and six 17,000 TEU ships at Hyundai Heavy Industries, with deliveries in 2024 and 2025, plus six additional 9,000 TEU ships ordered from Yangzijiang Shipbuilding in China. Those six deliveries are planned in 2026 and 2027.

The new feeder ship is expected to take on the name Laura Maersk at an official naming ceremony in Copenhagen in September.

Unlock Exclusive Insights Today!

Join the gCaptain Club for curated content, insider opinions, and vibrant community discussions.

Sign Up
Back to Main
polygon icon polygon icon

Why Join the gCaptain Club?

Access exclusive insights, engage in vibrant discussions, and gain perspectives from our CEO.

Sign Up
close

JOIN OUR CREW

Maritime and offshore news trusted by our 110,333 members delivered daily straight to your inbox.