A.P. Moller – Maersk (Maersk) has entered into two agreements in recent days aimed at boosting the growth of sustainable shipping.
The company signed a long-term bio-methanol offtake agreement with LONGi Green Energy Technology and it has partnered with Danone, one of the world’s leading food and beverages companies, to reduce its logistics greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by using Maersk ECO Delivery Ocean.
Based in China, LONGi Green Energy Technology is a leading photovoltaic (PV) manufacturer, a developer of solar power projects, and electrolyzer manufacturer that has previously partnered with Maersk for ocean and logistics services. The company produces bio-methane that meets Maersk’s sustainability requirements which include:
- Certification: All biofuels must be certified by a 3rd party to ensure credibility.
- Lifecycle GHG savings: Fuels must meet the minimum reductions in the EU Renewable Energy Directive which is 65% for biofuels and 70% for e-fuels compared to fossil reference fuel.
- Feedstocks: Maersk only accepts wastes and residues as feedstocks. Forestry waste and residues must originate from FSC certified forest or equivalent. Maersk does not accept any first-generation crops or woody biomass or any feedstock related to palm oil.
- Lifecycle Analysis: New green fuels like methanol are assessed based on lifecycle analysis (LCA) including factors such as biodiversity, ecosystems, resources and materials depletion, human health and ecotoxicity, air and water quality as well as indirect land use and other marginal effects.
- E-methanol: For e-methanol, the company only uses biogenic CO2 as feedstock and combine it with green hydrogen to produce the methanol.
The bio-methanol production for Maersk will begin in 2026 and LONGi will use only residues such as straw and fruit tree cuttings. The companies did not specify a length for the agreement but said it will reach into the next decade.
“Bio- and e-methanol continues to be the most promising alternative shipping fuels to scale up in this decade,” said Rabab Raafat Boulos, Chief Operating Officer, A.P. Moller-Maersk. “Global shipping’s main net-zero challenge is the price gap between fossil fuels and the alternatives with lower greenhouse gas emissions. We continue to strongly urge the International Maritime Organization’s member states to level the playing field by adopting a global green fuel standard and an ambitious pricing mechanism which the industry urgently needs.”
Maersk is working to secure enough methanol for its owned dual-fuel methanol fleet of which, it said, seven vessels are already in operation. Maersk’s combined methanol offtake agreements now meet more than 50% of the dual-fuel methanol fleet demand in 2027. The company also has a fleet of vessels that run on ammonia.
Maersk Partners with Danone
Maersk is also partnering with global food and beverage company Danone to reduce its logistics greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by using Maersk ECO Delivery Ocean. Such sails can help shipping companies meet FuelEU Maritime Regulations that promote the use of renewable, low-carbon fuels and clean energy technologies for ships to support decarbonization in the sector. The version Danone has signed up for is expected to reduce emissions by more than 40% compared to conventional fossil fuels.
“The swift reduction of greenhouse gas emissions is at the core of both our companies,” said Emilio de la Cruz Maersk Area Managing Director South West Europe. “Well-known companies like Danone can act as a beacon in their industries by using effective levers to decarbonize their supply chains. We are proud to be Danone’s trusted partner in this important task.”
Danone has committed to net zero emissions by 2050 and aligned its pathway to net zero with the Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi) in 2017. Maersk has a net zero target of 2040 and said it is the first shipping and logistics company which has a pathway to net zero approved by the SBTi.
