Since 2021 Maersk ordered the world's first methanol-powered container ship, Maersk (Maersk) has expanded its methanol-using order number to 25 ships, and on Monday said it has ordered six new dual-fuel 9000 teu ships, which will join its fleet in 2026 and 2027.
Maersk last year ordered 19 capacity 17000 teu dual-fuel methanol large ships from 2024 onwards, but this time the company chose smaller ships, in the cross trade route deployment more flexible.
Maersk said these smaller vessels will replace similarly sized vessels and be able to fill many of the functions in our current and future network, thereby providing customers with the flexibility they need. At the same time, the use of green methanol is expected to reduce Maersk's annual greenhouse gas emissions by about 450000 tons of carbon dioxide.
During the decarbonization process, Maersk identified three main candidate fuels to replace traditional fossil fuels: methanol, including e-methanol and biomethanol; alcohol-lignin mixtures and ammonia. Methanol is currently in the leading position and is expected to have a diversified green fuel portfolio.
In order to achieve its 2030 medium-term fleet emissions target, Maersk proposed that from 2040 to 2050, it plans to provide a net-zero supply chain in its business units, including compared to 2020, Maersk fleet per transport container emissions reduced by 50%.
maersk's recently launched 2100 teu feeder ship is the first methanol-powered container ship. The as yet unnamed 2100 teu will undergo sea trials in south korea later this month before heading to copenhagen later in the summer via singapore, port said and rotterdam, where it will be deployed in a baltic feeder service.
Maersk will need around 60000 tonnes of green methanol per year, with much larger volumes by 2040 if it is to reach net zero. In order to lock in the supply of these fuels, Maersk has reached agreements with a range of producers.
Several other airlines have also ordered alternative fuel vessels. In April, CMA CGM ordered 12 15000 TEU vessels capable of running on methanol fuel and conventional fuel, and four 23000 TEU dual-fuel liquefied natural gas (LNG) vessels.
Hyundai Merchant Marine HMM ordered nine dual-fuel methanol vessels in February and secured fuel supplies. In the same month, Hapag-Lloyds signed a multi-year agreement with Shell to supply LNG for 12 vessels of 23,500 teu capacity ordered by the company, which will be deployed from the second half of 2023 on the Asia-Europe trade.
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