ship.energy

Mærsk’s third large methanol-fuelled vessel sets sail

A.P. Mærsk has today (16 August) announced that the Antonia Mærsk, its third large methanol dual-fuel vessel after the Ane Mærsk and Astrid Mærsk, has officially set sail.

As previously reported, the vessel, which is capable of running on green methanol, was christened by its godmother Kirsten Andersen, the spouse of Vestas CEO Henrik Andersen, at Aarhus Havn – Port of Aarhus in Denmark last Friday (9 August).  

Mærsk has placed considerable emphasis on its plans to roll-out methanol dual-fuelled vessels as part of its decarbonisation strategy and has been noticeably less enthusiastic about LNG as a marine fuel.

However, just two days before the Antonia Mærsk’s christening, the shipping giant announced that its fleet renewal plans up to 2030 will involve introducing a total of 50-60 vessels that will use both methanol and ‘liquefied bio-methane (bio-LNG)’.

Some have seen this as a volte-face on LNG and the announcement has drawn the ire of environmental groups, but Ahmed Hassan, Head of Asset Strategy & Strategic Partnerships at Maersk, maintained that: ‘By diversifying our fleet and fuel options, we gain the flexibility, knowledge, and experience to cater to a future with multiple fuel paths.’ Mærsk also underlined its new pragmatic approach by saying that: ‘The exact split of propulsion technologies will be determined considering the future regulatory framework and green fuels supply.’ 

Image: Mærsk

Ian Taylor