The Methanol Institute (MI) has welcomed AP Moller-Maersk (Maersk) as its newest member company
Maersk recently announced that its first carbon-neutral vessel – being launched in 2023 – will be a methanol dual-fuel ship.
In December 2018, Maersk announced its ambition to achieve net-zero CO2 emissions by 2050 and has since identified its primary fuel candidates to be carbon-neutral methanol (bio-methanol and e-methanol), alcohol-lignin blends and carbon-neutral ammonia along with the use of biofuels.
In February 2021, Maersk announced the launch of the world’s first liner vessel to operate on carbon-neutral methanol in 2023 – seven years ahead of the initial 2030 ambition. All future Maersk-owned newbuildings will have dual-fuel technology installed, enabling both carbon-neutral operations and operation on standard very low sulphur fuel oil (VLSFO).
Maersk’s first methanol feeder vessel will have a capacity of around 2,000 TEU and be deployed in one of its intra-regional networks. While the vessel will be able to operate on standard VLSFO, the plan is to operate the vessel on carbon-neutral e-methanol or sustainable bio-methanol from day one.
“In pioneering this technology, it will be a significant challenge to source an adequate supply of carbon-neutral methanol within the timeline we have set ourselves,” said Maersk senior innovation project manager Berit Hinnemann. “We have a lot of work ahead of us to find the projects which are truly scalable, carbon neutral and capable of meeting strict lifecycle analysis criteria. Maersk is very pleased to join the Methanol Institute and is looking forward to further engagement with green methanol suppliers to advance the introduction of carbon-neutral methanol in global shipping.”
MI chief executive Gregory Dolan noted, “MI is delighted to welcome Maersk as our newest member. Maersk’s choice of methanol as the fuel for its first dual-fuel vessel sends a strong signal to the shipping industry that methanol is a marine fuel for today and tomorrow.”
Maersk also sees the use of green ammonia as a shipping fuel as an option for its fleet and has signed a memorandum of understanding with a coalition to study the feasibility of developing a green ammonia supply chain in the Port of Singapore.
Ms Hinnemann told CST that optionality is important. “Not only do we believe that ammonia is very promising, but we are also pursuing methanol and we believe in optionality. It is very important to develop several solutions so that we have optionality along the lines.”
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