Tom Barlow-BrownMaersk has officially unveiled its latest dual-fuel methanol container ship, the Alexandra Maersk, during a ceremony held at the Port of Felixstowe, UK.
This vessel is the sixth addition to Maersk’s fleet capable of operating on methanol in both its main and auxiliary engines. As part of a series of 18 large dual-fuel methanol vessels scheduled for delivery in 2024 and 2025, the Alexandra Maersk has a capacity exceeding 16,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs).
In a statement issued today (9 October), Maersk highlighted that the vessel operates on ‘low emission methanol’ which the company noted can lead to greenhouse gas emissions reductions of ‘65% to 90% compared to conventional bunker fuels’, depending on the production process and feedstock used. This forms part of Maersk’s decarbonisation plans, which are aimed at achieving net-zero emissions by 2040 across its entire business.
Vincent Clerc, CEO of A.P. Moller – Maersk, noted the collaborative efforts required for successful decarbonisation in the maritime industry.
‘True progress in the green transformation requires collective effort,’ he said. ‘To accelerate this transformation, it is essential for the International Maritime Organization to help close the price gap between green and fossil fuels, ensuring that the green choice becomes the best choice for everyone. The recent IMO meeting was a positive step in this direction, but there is much more work to be done in the coming months.’
The company has collaborated with clothing giant Primark, which serves as the vessel’s godmother. Primark itself has set a goal of halving its carbon emissions across its value chain by 2030. It plans to do so by utilising Maersk’s ECO Delivery Ocean product—which incorporates reduced greenhouse gas (GHG) emission fuels such as biofuels and green methanol.
UK Maritime Minister Mike Kane described the vessel’s role in promoting sustainable shipping.
‘This type of innovation is exactly what we need to foster a greener, cleaner maritime sector, ultimately benefiting both people and our planet. Delivering greener transport is one of our top priorities, and we are committed to reducing harmful greenhouse gas emissions through the adoption of alternative fuels and technologies,’ he said.
The Alexandra Maersk continues Maersk’s long-standing tradition of naming vessels after members of the founding Mærsk family, paying homage to Alexandra Mærsk-Møller, the older sister of the company’s founder, A.P. Møller.
Image: Maersk
Rhys Berry
Ian Taylor
