Maersk celebrates launch of dual-fuel methanol vessel at Port of Felixstowe

UK – Danish shipping giant Maersk marked a significant milestone with the naming of its latest dual-fuel methanol container vessel, Alexandra Maersk, at the Port of Felixstowe in the U.K.

This vessel is the sixth in Maersk’s owned fleet capable of operating on methanol in both its main and auxiliary engines.

As part of an ambitious plan, Alexandra Maersk is the fifth ship in a series of 18 large dual-fuel vessels expected for delivery in 2024 and 2025, each capable of carrying more than 16,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs).

“It’s great to see customers like Primark taking action and partnering with us to decarbonize ocean transport,” said Vincent Clerc, CEO of Maersk.

He emphasized the need for collective efforts in green transformation and called for the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to help close the price gap between green and fossil fuels.

“True progress requires collaboration. Last week’s IMO meeting was a step in the right direction, but we must continue to push forward,” he added.

Paul Marchant, CEO of Primark, echoed this sentiment, highlighting their commitment to reducing environmental impact. “Through our partnership with Maersk, we have started to introduce green fuel alternatives, such as biofuel, in our shipping operations. This initiative supports our ambition to halve carbon emissions across our value chain by 2030,” he said.

Maersk’s ECO delivery ocean service aims to minimize greenhouse gas emissions by using fuels like biodiesel across its fleet.

The new methanol vessels are at the forefront of Maersk’s decarbonisation strategy, with low-emission methanol capable of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 65-90 percent compared to conventional fossil fuels like bunker oil, depending on the feedstock and production process.

Advancing methanol bunkering in Japan

In a related development, Maersk is actively supporting methanol bunkering in Japan. The company co-hosted Japan’s first methanol bunkering simulation at the Port of Yokohama, utilizing the Alette Maersk, its fifth dual-fuel methanol vessel.

This simulation, which involved Kokuka Sangyo’s methanol tanker, Eikamaru, tested critical operations like berthing and hose connections.

“This simulation marks a significant step in laying the foundation for future methanol bunkering,” said Toru Nishiyama, Managing Director for Northeast Asia at Maersk.

“We are committed to a decarbonised future and are pleased to support Japan’s ambitions in this area. Collaborating with the broader industry will help accelerate the adoption of low-emission practices.”

Kenzo Nakagawa, Director of the Industrial Port Policy Division at the Ports and Harbors Bureau, announced plans for a study group aimed at establishing methanol bunkering hubs in Japan. “We will use the insights from this simulation to drive discussions forward,” he stated.

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