Danish shipping and logistics giant Maersk has introduced its newest environmentally friendly methanol-powered vessel, reinforcing its commitment to decarbonizing the shipping industry.
Methanol, a versatile chemical and green alternative fuel, can be produced from various raw materials and serves as a cleaner option for powering both cars and ships.
According to CNBC, the new vessel, named A.P. Møller, measures 350 meters in length and joins Maersk’s growing fleet of ships capable of operating on methanol as well as traditional marine fuel.
Decarbonizing the Shipping Sector
Speaking to CNBC's Squawk Box Asia, Ditlev Blicher, Maersk's Asia-Pacific president, highlighted the innovative technology designed to decarbonize shipping.
″This technology allows the industry to shift from black fuels or fossil fuels into what we call e-methanol, or green methanol, significantly reducing the carbon outlets of normal shipping,” he said.
Maersk defines green fuel as one that reduces greenhouse gas emissions by at least 65% over its life cycle compared to conventional fossil fuels.
Although methanol is primarily derived from fossil fuels, it can also be produced from sustainable and renewable energy sources, as noted by the International Renewable Energy Agency.
Green Methanol
According to Maersk, ships powered by green methanol can save up to approximately 280 tons of carbon dioxide emissions per day. This advancement represents a significant step towards the company's goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2040.
Additionally, green methanol contains lower levels of sulfur, which helps minimize emissions of sulfur oxides—a contributor to air pollution and acid rain, according to the World Economic Forum.
Blicher said the A.P. Møller is Maersk’s ninth dual-fuel vessel out of an order of 25 planned to be completed by 2027.
The company estimates that replacing just 12 of its “normal” vessels with large alternative-fuel ships like the A.P. Møller could save 1.5 million metric tons of CO2—nearly double Copenhagen’s total CO2 emissions in 2022.
The Future of Shipping
As the world’s largest shipping company, Maersk is leading the transition to greener shipping practices, inspiring others in the industry to adopt methanol-powered vessels.
Blicher noted that about 170 dual-fuel methanol vessels are on order from the entire industry, poised to help significantly reduce carbon emissions in the future.
“Maersk, the industry and our client base are pushing forward and investing in this technology,” Blicher said, noting that clients are increasingly trying to meet their own decarbonization goals.
