25 methanol-ready newbuilds on the list
While all big carriers are currently investing heavily in their fleets, Maersk has placed an order for six mid-sized container vessels. These newbuilds will have dual-fuel engines able to operate on green methanol.
The Yangzijiang Shipbuilding Group will build the six 9,000 teu vessels on its wharf. They will be delivered from 2026 till March 2027.
Having set the target to become net-zero in 2040, Maersk has placed all its orders for the last two years for ships running on green methanol. Rabab Boulos, chief infrastructure officer at Maersk: "The global orderbook stands at more than 100 methanol-enabled vessels. By commissioning six more vessels, Maersk now has 25 methanol-enabled vessels on order."
The first methanol-enabled unit, a 2,100 teu feeder vessel, will be delivered to Maersk in summer 2023. Replacing vessels in a similar size segment, the carrier claims that the new vessels will reduce Maersk’s greenhouse gas emissions by about 450,000 t of carbon per year on a fuel lifecycle basis when operating on green methanol. (cd)