Logistics giant Maersk has taken another step towards their ‘all the way to zero’ targets unveiling its latest dual-fuel methanol vessel during an event at the Port of Felixstowe.
The vessel named the ‘Alexandra Mærsk’ is now the sixth ship in Maersk’s owned fleet that can sail on methanol using its main and auxiliary engines.
Each ship can carry more than 16,000 standard containers (TEU) and the Alexandra Mærsk is the fifth ship following a series of 18 large dual-fuel methanol vessels that are scheduled for delivery in 2024 and 2025.
The UK’s Maritime Minister, Mike Kane who attended the event in Felixstowe said: “This is exactly the kind of innovation we need to deliver a greener, cleaner maritime sector which is better for people and for our planet.
“Delivering greener transport is one of our top priorities and we will do so by reducing harmful greenhouse gas emissions and investing in alternative fuels and technologies.”
According to Maersk methanol ships play a significant role in the company’s decarbonisation targets of net zero by 2040.
Low emission methanol can reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 65% to 90% compared to conventional fossil fuels such as bunker oil.
Although this comes with challenges such as getting enough fuel via the feedstock production process and how much it costs.
Maersk said the exact emission reduction of green methanol depends on the production process and how feedstock and produced methanol is being transported.
The company explained that while methanol made from biogenic feedstock reaches around 65-70% GHG emission reduction on a life cycle basis compared to conventional fossil fuel, the synthetically produced green methanol, the so-called e-methanol, aims to reach much higher levels of GHG emission savings of up to 90% on a life cycle basis.
Vincent Clerc, CEO of A.P. Moller – Maersk said: “To accelerate the transformation, we need the International Maritime Organisation’s help closing the price gap between green and fossil fuels to make the green choice the best choice for all.
“Last week’s IMO meeting on that matter was a step in the right direction, but much work remains in the coming months.
“We remain hopeful and continue to do all in our power to progress the green transition of shipping.”