A.P. Moller - Maersk has ordered six large container vessels able to sail on green methanol, according to a press release.

The ships will be built by South Korean Hyundai Heavy Industries and have a capacity of 17,000 teu each. All of them are scheduled for delivery in 2025 and will replace existing capacity.

”Green methanol is the best scalable green fuel solution for this decade, and we are excited to see several other shipowners choosing this path. It adds further momentum to the rapid scaling of availability needed to bring down the premium on green methanol and accelerate the evolution of climate neutral shipping,” says Maersk Chief Fleet & Technical Officer Palle Laursen in the announcement.

Maersk has set a goal of climate neutrality in 2040 and has also made a target for 2030 in order to secure progress toward 2040. Greenhouse gas emissions from carrier operations will, for instance, have to be reduced by 50 percent per transported container in 2030.

With the order, Maersk has commissioned a total of 19 methanol-powered box vessels. When in operation, these will be able to spare the climate 2.3 million tonnes CO₂ every year.

Maersk furthermore maintains its strategy of a maximum fleet size of 4.3 million teu, including time-chartered ships.

English edit: Kristoffer Grønbæk

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