Maersk completes first conversion of a large container ship to a dual-fuel engine powered by methanol

As the first large vessel in the sector, the Maersk Halifax has been converted into a dual-fuel ship capable of operating with methanol. The modernization operation, which took 88 days to complete at the Zhoushan Xinya Shipyard in China, was completed at the end of October 2024.

“We are pleased to announce that the Maersk Halifax has been successfully adapted to become a dual-fuel ship capable of operating with methanol. After completing sea trials, the Maersk Halifax resumed operations and is now serving our customers in the transpacific trade,” said Leonardo Sonzio, Head of Fleet Management and Technology at Maersk.

MAN Energy Solutions carried out the engine conversion. In addition to replacing engine components to enable it to run on methanol, the retrofit operation involved adding new fuel tanks, a fuel preparation room, and a fuel supply system. The ship’s hull was also extended to accommodate the new tanks. With these modifications, the ship’s length was increased by 15 meters to 368 meters, boosting its capacity from approximately 15,000 TEU to 15,690 TEU.

“Since we set the ambitious climate goal of achieving net zero by 2040, we have been exploring the potential of retrofitting existing ships with dual-fuel engines. Next year, we will draw lessons from this first conversion of a large vessel. The modernization of existing vessels can be an important alternative to new orders in our transition from fossil fuels to low-emission fuels,” explained Leonardo Sonzio.

The Maersk Halifax, which is one of 11 ships in Maersk’s Hong Kong class, departed from the shipyard anchorage on November 4, 2024.

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