Maersk orders 6 more methanol-capable 17,000-TEUers

DANISH shipping giant maersk has announced it has ordered six more 17,000-TEU containerships from Korea's Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) each ship capable of running on methanol, reports the UK's Seatrade Maritime News.

This brings Maersk's total orderbook of dual-fuel vessels capable of running on methanol to 19. Maersk said the new 17,000-TEU ships will replace existing tonnage in its fleet when they're delivered in 2025.

Maersk said that when all 19 vessels on order join the fleet and replace older tonnage, annual CO2 savings will be around 2.3 million tonnes.

The order further cements Maersk's commitment to methanol as a pathway to zero emissions shipping, following an eight-vessel methanol-fueled 16,000-TEU containership order at HHI in 2021. Those vessels are due for delivery from Q1 2024.

Maersk has also signed at least one green methanol fuel supply agreement and joined a partnership to create the first e-methanol plant in Southeast Asia.

Methanol offers a complete decarbonisation pathway to the maritime industry through the use of e-methanol, methanol created using renewable electricity.

SeaNews Turkey