Maersk unveils methanol-powered container carrier

December 9, 2021: Denmark-based A.P. Moller-Maersk unveiled an ocean-going container vessel with a nominal capacity of approximately 16,000 TEUs capable of being operated on carbon-neutral methanol.

Here are the key advantages:

• 20% improved energy efficiency per transported container vs. industry average
• Forward accommodation enables larger container carrying capacity
• Separating accommodation and funnel improve port efficiency
• Dual fuel engines + 16.000 m3 tank of green methanol = full round trip on green methanol
• Reducing the funnel footprint and moving the funnel to the side gives additional capacity
• CO2 emissions displacement = 1 million tonnes annually when 8 vessels are deployed

The initial vessel, out of eight to be built by Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI), will be introduced by Maersk in the first quarter of 2024.

The new vessels come as part of Maersk’s on-going fleet renewal programme, and will replace tonnage of more than 150,000 TEUs reaching end-of-life, according to this statement released earlier this year.

Maersk issues green bonds

Maersk issued the first green bonds to fund the initial green methanol vessels recently. 

"The company successfully placed its inaugural 10-year, €500 million green bond to fund the build of its first feeder vessel and the ground-breaking series of eight large ocean-going container vessels which will be capable of operating on carbon neutral methanol by 2023 and 2024, respectively," the statement said. 

The transaction, priced at 0.75 percent (lowest ever for Maersk), received strong reception from investors with a final order book of €3.7 billion.