Aug 28 | 2021
Will Replace 150,000 TEUs of Conventional Tonnage
A.P. Moller – Maersk said it will introduce eight large ocean-going container vessels capable of being operated on carbon-neutral methanol in the first quarter of 2024.
The vessels will be built by Hyundai Heavy Industries, and will have nominal capacity of about 16,000 20-foot equivalent units. The agreement with HHI includes an option for four additional vessels in 2025.
The new vessels will replace older vessels, generating annual CO2 emissions savings of about 1 million tonnes. They are part of Maersk’s fleet renewal program and will replace tonnage of more than 150,000 TEUs, which is reaching end-of-life and will leave Maersk’s fleet between 2020 and the first quarter of 2024.
The vessels will have a dual fuel engine setup, which will enable operation on methanol as well as conventional low-sulfur fuel. Cost of the dual fuel capability will account for 10 percent to 15 percent of the total price. They will feature a methanol propulsion configuration developed in collaboration with MAN ES, Hyundai (Himsen) and Alfa Laval, which represents a significant scale-up of the technology from the previous size limit of about 2,000 TEUs. The vessels will be classed by the American Bureau of Shipping and sail under the Danish flags.
Maersk said that more than half of its 200 largest customers have either set or are in the process of implementing science-based or zero carbon targets for their supply chains.
“This order proves that carbon neutral solutions are available today across container vessel segments and that Maersk stands committed to the growing number of our customers who look to decarbonize their supply chains,” said Soren Skou, CEO of A.P. Moller – Maersk.
The carrier acknowledged that sourcing an adequate amount of carbon-neutral methanol will be a challenge, as it requires significant production ramp up, for which Maersk is engaging in partnerships and collaborations with relevant players.
