Maersk plans to operate world’s first carbon-neutral liner vessel by 2023

Danish container shipping group Maersk plans to introduce the world’s first carbon-neu­tral liner container ship in 2023.

The vessel will be a feeder vessel of about 2,000 TEU using methanol as fuel. The vessel will be able to operate on standard very-low-sulphur fuel oil (VLSFO). But Maersk plans to operate the vessel on carbon neutral e-methanol or sustainable bio-methanol from day one.

Introduction of the vessel in 2023 would be seven years ahead of Maersk’s initial plan to introduce zero-emission container ships in 2030. All future Maersk owned newbuildings will have dual-fuel technology installed, enabling either carbon neutral operations or operation on standard VLSFO, the com­pany said. “A.P. Moller-Maersk’s ambition is to lead the way in decarbonising global logistics,” it said. Around half of Maersk’s 200 largest cargo transport customers have set, or are in the process of setting, ambitious zero-carbon targets for their supply chains, and the figure is on the rise.

Both the methanol-fuelled feeder vessel and the decision to install dual-fuel engines on future newbuildings are part of Maersk’s continuing fleet replacement.