Container shipping industry leader Maersk has achieved a significant milestone in its mission to reduce carbon emissions. The company has successfully launched its first methanol-powered feeder vessel at Hyundai Mipo Dockyard, marking a major step forward in its sustainability efforts.
Henrik Ekmann, Head of Newbuilding & Retrofit at Maersk, confirmed the successful launch at Hyundai Mipo Dockyard and highlighted that the construction is still ongoing. The vessel was launched on April 4 by South Korea’s Hyundai Mipo Dockyard and is scheduled to join Maersk’s fleet during the summer of this year.
This vessel holds great significance for Maersk as it represents the company’s first carbon-neutral ship, aligning with its ambitious goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2040. With a capacity of approximately 2,000 TEU, the ship was ordered in 2021. Although it can operate on standard very low sulfur fuel oil (VLSFO), Maersk plans to use carbon-neutral e-methanol or sustainable bio-methanol from the outset.
The vessel’s main and auxiliary engines are capable of running on green methanol, which supports Maersk’s decarbonization strategy. The methanol propulsion configuration for the ship was developed through collaboration between MAN Energy Solutions, Hyundai Engine and Machinery, Hyundai Mipo, and Maersk. Hyundai Engine and Machinery supplied the main engine, while the auxiliary engine was provided by Himsen. The vessel will be classified by the American Bureau of Shipping.
The feeder, measuring 172 meters in length, will operate within the network of Sealand Europe, a subsidiary of Maersk, along the Baltic shipping route between Northern Europe and the Bay of Bothnia. Maersk has also partnered with REintegrate, a subsidiary of Danish renewable energy company European Energy, to produce green fuel for its methanol-powered containership. European Energy is constructing a facility with the aim of producing around 10,000 tonnes of e-methanol for Maersk’s carbon-neutral vessel.
Following the feeder vessel, Maersk has plans to introduce 18 large ocean-going vessels with capacities ranging from 16,000 to 17,200 TEU. These vessels are scheduled for delivery in 2024 and 2025, further demonstrating the company’s commitment to sustainable shipping practices.
