Laura Maersk: First Green Methanol-Fueled Container Feeder Vessel
With ambitious net zero targets in mind, the world’s merchant fleet is not hanging around waiting for the International Maritime Organization. In particular, the major container carriers are moving swiftly although with differing philosophies. In the case of Maersk Line, the focus is on building a fleet based on carbon neutral methanol as the primary source of fuel, thereby bypassing the use of LNG as a transitional step.
The first Green Methanol fueled vessel to enter the fleet, Laura Maersk, was delivered to the company in early July. Following the sea voyage from South Korea to Europe she will be named by Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission. She will then by deployed to serve the company’s Baltic Sea feeder routes.
Built by Hyundai Mipo Dockyard, Ulsan, South Korea
Owned and operated by Maersk Line
LOA 172.0m
Beam 32.0m
Capacity 2,100 TEU with 400 reefer plugs
Propulsion: MAN 6G50-LGIM main engine
To date, Maersk has ordered 25 methanol-enabled ships with a view to reaching its goal of transporting 25% of ocean cargo using green fuels by 2030. Overall, the Danish shipping company aims to reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040. The cost of the dual methanol/VLSFO engine is reported to be 15% higher than a conventional unit.
One of the primary obstacles to deployment of green methanol fueled vessels is the sourcing of fuel. On this front, Maersk has been active in partnering with potential suppliers to develop a reliable global bunkering infrastructure. For the 13,000 nautical mile voyage from Ulsan to Copenhagen the new vessel will be fuelled by ISCC-certified green bio methanol fuel produced from biogas captured from decomposing organic landfill waste. This will be delivered from a U.S. plant by Dutch company OCI Global, a major distributor of hydrogen-based products.
Maersk has also placed an order with Hyundai heavy Industries for a series of 18 x 16,000 TEU methanol fueled container vessels which are due to enter service starting in 2024/25 and just last month the company announced an order with the Yangzijiang Shipbuilding Group for 6 x 9,000 TEU, also with dual-fuel engines, which are scheduled for delivery in 2026/27.
Maersk recently reported that global fashion brands are a major driver of demand for green shipping in response to pressure from their own consumers and regulators to reduce their carbon footprint. The textile industry is estimated to be responsible for between 2% and 8% of GHG emissions, according to a recent United Nations Environment Programme report.
DNV reports that 68 of the 81 methanol-fueled vessels currently on order and due for delivery by 2028 are container vessels.
Featured Image: Illustration of new 2,100 TEU feeder container vessel – courtesy Maersk Line