A.P.Moller – Maersk to operate world’s first carbon-neutral liner by 2023

A.P.Moller – Maersk to operate the world’s first carbon-neutral liner by 2023AP Moller – Maersk will launch the world’s first carbon-neutral liner in 2023 – seven years before the initial goal of 2030. All future vessels built by Maersk will have dual-fuel technology installed, allowing for carbon-neutral or standard fuel oil operations with very low sulfur fuel oil (VLSFO).-

“AP Moller – Maersk’s ambition is to lead the way towards the de-carbonization of global logistics. Our customers expect us to assist them in decarbonizing their global supply chains, and we are accepting the task, working to solve practical, technical, and safety challenges inherent in the carbon-neutral fuels we need for the future. Our ambition to have a carbon-neutral fleet was a ‘flight to the moon’ when announced in 2018. Today, we see it as a challenging but achievable goal”, says Søren Skou, CEO of AP Moller – Maersk.

About half of Maersk’s 200 largest customers have implemented – or are in the process of implementing – ambitious, science-based, or zero-carbon targets for their supply networks, and the projection is growing.

Maersk’s methanol collection vessels will have a capacity of approximately 2000 TEU and will be deployed in one of the corporation’s intra-regional networks. Although the vessel can operate with standard VLSFO, the plan is to operate the vessel with carbon-neutral e-methanol or sustainable bio-methanol beginning from day one.

“Within our goal timeline, it will be a significant challenge to be a source of an adequate supply of carbon-neutral methanol to be pioneers in this technology. Our success depends on the acceptance of this innovative product by consumers, and on the enhanced collaboration with fuel producers, technological partners, and developers, to boost production with the proper speed. We believe that our aspiration to begin operating the first carbon-neutral ship is the best way to start an escalation of the carbon-neutral fuels that we will need”, analyzes Henriette Hallberg Thygesen, CEO of Fleet & Strategic Brands, AP Moller – Maersk.

Both the methanol-powered collecting vessel and the decision to install dual-fuel engines on new vessels are part of the ongoing Maersk fleet-replacement process.

According to the company, Maersk continues to explore several paths towards carbon-neutral fuel and expects multiple solutions in the future. Methanol (e-methanol and bio-methanol), mixtures of lignin alcohol, and ammonia remain the main fuel candidates for the future.

The key partner in this collaboration is the Maersk Mc-Kinney Møller Zero-Carbon Transport Center, an independent, nonprofit research and development center that works across sectors, organizations, research areas, and regulatory bodies to accelerate the development and implementation of new energy systems and technologies.