Maersk Sets Sail with Sustainable Fuel: Green Methanol Powers World’s First Methanol-Enabled Container Vessel

Maersk Sets Sail with Sustainable Fuel: Green Methanol Powers World’s First Methanol-Enabled Container Vessel

(IN BRIEF) Maersk, a global leader in container logistics, has successfully secured green methanol for the maiden voyage of the world’s first methanol-enabled container vessel. The company has partnered with OCI Global to deliver green bio-methanol for the journey, which spans over 21,500 kilometers from South Korea to Denmark. This achievement marks a significant step for Maersk in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and advancing sustainable fuel solutions. The voyage will provide valuable operational experience as Maersk prepares for a fleet of new, large methanol-enabled ships. Maersk aims to transport a minimum of 25% of its ocean cargo using green fuels by 2030 and gradually transition its entire fleet to operate solely on sustainable fuels.

(PRESS RELEASE) COPENHAGEN, 13-Jun-2023 — /EuropaWire/ — A.P. Moller – Maersk (CPH: MAERSK-B), a global leader in container shipping, has achieved a major milestone in its commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by securing green methanol for the maiden voyage of the world’s first methanol-enabled container vessel. This significant accomplishment highlights Maersk’s dedication to sustainable fuel solutions and its leadership in driving industry-wide environmental progress.

Maersk has entered into a partnership with Dutch producer OCI Global to ensure the delivery of green¹ bio-methanol for the vessel’s inaugural journey. The voyage spans an impressive 21,500 kilometers from Ulsan, South Korea, to Copenhagen, Denmark, covering more than half the globe. This expedition will provide valuable operational experience for Maersk’s seafarers, as they navigate the new engines and utilize methanol as a fuel source. It serves as a crucial preparatory step as Maersk gears up to welcome a fleet of new, large ocean-going methanol-enabled ships from 2024.

“The green methanol market is still in its infancy and frankly we had not expected to be able to secure a maiden voyage on green methanol for this vessel. So, we are very proud to have achieved this significant milestone. We expect a diverse green fuel mix for the future, with green bio-methanol from biomass waste being available now,” said Morten Bo Christiansen, Head of Energy Transition, A.P. Moller – Maersk.

OCI produces its green methanol at a state-of-the-art facility in the United States, utilizing captured biogas sourced from decomposing organic waste in landfills. The biogas is converted into biomethane, which is then injected into the gas grid. The methanol is produced from this biomethane on a mass-balance basis. This innovative approach allows the production of green methanol using existing facilities and infrastructure, enabling rapid scalability. Moreover, this method plays a vital role in greening the gas grid while simultaneously capturing harmful methane emissions that would have otherwise been released from the waste feedstock. OCI’s green methanol has obtained certification from the International Sustainability & Carbon Certification (ISCC) in accordance with the EU Renewable Energy Directive.

In line with its ambitious goal of achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040, A.P. Moller – Maersk aims to ensure that a minimum of 25% of its ocean cargo is transported using green fuels by 2030, based on a 2020 baseline. The introduction of the landmark methanol-enabled feeder vessel, with a capacity of 2,100 TEU (twenty-foot-equivalent units), represents a significant step towards the long-term objective of transitioning the entire fleet to operate solely on sustainable green fuels.

Maersk remains at the forefront of driving sustainable innovation within the maritime industry, revolutionizing shipping practices to create a greener and more sustainable future.

For more info about our fuel milestone, please check out the latest episode of our Decarbonisation webinar series on the Maersk YouTube channel.

¹We define ’green fuels’ as fuels with low to very low GHG emissions over their life cycle compared to fossil fuels. Different green fuels achieve different life cycle reductions depending on their production pathway. By ‘low’ we refer to fuels with 65-80% life cycle GHG reductions compared to fossil fuels. ‘Very low’ refers to fuels with 80-95% life cycle GHG reductions compared to fossil fuels.