A.P. Moller-Maersk has signed agreements with three shipyards for a total of 20 container vessels equipped with dual-fuel engines that burn both liquid natural gas (LNG) and green methanol. The ships will vary in size from 9,000 to 17,000 twenty-foot-equivalent units (TEU).
A dozen of the vessels are 15,000 TEU. Half are from Hanwha Ocean, South Korea and the other half at New Times Shipbuilding, China. Two of the vessels are 9,000 TEU and six are 17,000 TEU. All of these are ordered at Yangzijiang Shipbuilding, China. The first will be delivered in 2028 ad the last in 2030.
LNG has an overall greenhouse gas (GHG) footprint that is 33% greater than that of coal when analyzed considering the global warming potential over 20 years. Compared to conventional fossil fuels, renewable methanol cuts carbon dioxide emissions by up to 95%, reduces nitrogen oxide emissions by up to 80%, and completely eliminates sulfur oxide and particulate matter emissions, according to the Methanol Institute. Maersk has invested billions into trying to transition to more sustainable fuels, however, availability of the more sustainable shipping fuel is still quite limited.
Shipping generates 3% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, primarily from the burning of fossil fuels. The European Union’s Emissions Trading System (ETS) requires shipping companies to purchase and use emission allowances for each ton of reported CO2 or equivalent starting in 2025. The first year, companies will only have to apply ETS for 40% of their emissions, gradually increasing to 100% in 2027. Additionally, the International Maritime Organization requires ships to calculate their energy efficiency and their carbon intensity with the goal of reducing the industry’s carbon intensity by at least 40% by 2030, compared to 2008.Â
Maersk said the new ships will be used in place of existing capacity.
“Due to their different sizes, the vessels will be able to fill many roles and functions within our future network and give us a lot of deployment flexibility when they are ready to enter our fleet. Once phased in, they will replace existing capacity in our fleet,” said Anda Cristescu Chartering & Newbuilding at Maersk.
