Maersk orders six additional methanol-powered container ships
Danish shipping company A.P. Moller-Maersk has put in a new order for six 17,000 TEU dual-fuelled methanol container ships, bringing its total orderbook to 19 now.
PHOTO: A model of Maersk's 17,000 TEU methanol-powered container ship. A.P. Moller-Maersk
The six vessels will be constructed by the South Korean shipyard Hyundai Heavy Industries and are expected to be delivered by 2025.
Methanol is widely considered to more technologically mature and available as a marine fuel in global ports than hydrogen and ammonia at the moment.
The fuel is sulphur free, and emits significantly less nitrogen oxides than conventional oil-based fuels. But one of the drawbacks of methanol is its lower energy density than conventional fuels, which means it requires more storage space onboard vessels and in port.
Earlier this year, Maersk announced that it has struck deals with six methanol suppliers to source at least 730,000 mt/year of green methanol by the end of 2025. The company secured its seventh methanol supplier in August, bringing the total volume to 930,000 mt/year.
Dutch renewable energy firm European Energy is set to be the first supplier to deliver e-methanol for Maersk’s pilot methanol vessel, a reefer that is scheduled to be deployed next year.
By Nithin Chandran
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