Maersk’s Green Methanol Vessel, Astrid Maersk, Arrives in Koper, Slovenia

Maersk’s Green Methanol Vessel, Astrid Maersk, Arrives in Koper, Slovenia

(IN BRIEF) Maersk’s second large vessel powered by green methanol, Astrid Maersk, arrived at the Port of Koper, Slovenia, marking a significant step in Maersk’s goal to achieve Net-Zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040. The vessel, part of Maersk’s AE12 Asia-Europe route, follows the earlier launch of its sister ship, Ane Maersk.

Maersk’s Ivić Vodopija emphasized the importance of collaboration in their decarbonization journey, while Gregor Belič of the Port of Koper highlighted the port’s sustainability efforts, including electrifying machinery and quaysides. Astrid Maersk is the second of 18 dual-fuel vessels Maersk plans to introduce by 2025, featuring innovative designs to enhance cargo capacity and fuel efficiency.

(PRESS RELEASE) KOPER, 19-Jun-2024 — /EuropaWire/ — A.P. Moller – Maersk’s second large vessel capable of running on green methanol, Astrid Maersk, made its inaugural arrival at the Port of Koper, Slovenia, on June 16th. Following the launch of its sister ship, Ane Maersk, earlier this year, Astrid Maersk’s arrival highlights Maersk’s commitment to achieving Net-Zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040.

Operating on the AE12 string, which connects Asia and Europe, Astrid Maersk traveled from Port Said in Egypt to Koper before continuing to Trieste, Tangier, and Singapore. This vessel is part of Maersk’s strategy to decarbonize ocean transportation.

Ivić Vodopija, Maersk’s Country Manager for East Adriatic and Central Europe, expressed enthusiasm for this milestone, emphasizing the importance of collaboration among customers, partners, regulators, and stakeholders in achieving sustainability goals. The Port of Koper, a key partner, plays a significant role in this collective effort.

Gregor Belič, Member of the Management Board at the Port of Koper, reiterated the port’s commitment to sustainability. The Port of Koper is advancing towards energy independence, digitizing processes, and electrifying machinery to reduce its carbon footprint. A notable project includes the electrification of the quayside by 2029, allowing cargo ships to connect directly to shore electricity, furthering their climate transition efforts.

The Port of Koper, a multipurpose port and the largest container terminal in the Adriatic, handled 22.3 million tons of cargo in 2023, including over one million TEUs and nearly one million vehicles. Their mission for the next five years focuses on sustainable development, increasing infrastructure capacity, and implementing smart port concepts.

Astrid Maersk, equipped with a state-of-the-art dual-fuel engine running on green methanol, is the second of 18 such vessels Maersk plans to add to its fleet by 2025. These vessels feature an innovative design with the bridge and accommodation at the front, allowing for more cargo and reduced fuel consumption per container. Maersk defines green fuels as those achieving at least 65% greenhouse gas emissions reductions compared to fossil fuels.

About Maersk
A.P. Moller – Maersk is an integrated logistics company working to connect and simplify its customers’ supply chains. As a global leader in logistics services, the company operates in more than 130 countries and employs around 100,000 people. Maersk is aiming to reach net zero emissions by 2040 across the entire business with new technologies, new vessels, and green fuels.

Media Contact:

Marko Mihajic
Head of Communication, Europe and IMEA
+45 53 66 84 32
Marko.Mihajic@maersk.com

SOURCE: A.P. Moller – Maersk