Maersk Debuts First Large Methanol Vessel

Shipping giant A.P. Moller-Maersk recently christened the 'Ane Maersk', its first large-scale, methanol-powered container ship. The 'Ane Maersk' features an innovative design rarely seen in ships of its size. The deckhouse is positioned far forward with the funnel offset to maximise carrying capacity. This unique configuration reflects Maersk's commitment to fuel efficiency as it transitions to greener operations.

Pioneering Sustainable Shipping

Scheduled to join Maersk's AE7 Asia-Europe route next month, the 'Ane Maersk' can operate on either methanol or conventional bunker fuel. Maersk is actively developing a supply chain for low-carbon methanol and plans to fuel it with a "green" methanol source for its maiden voyage. The company has an ambitious goal of procuring enough fuel for 17 additional methanol-enabled ships of this class.

"The 'Ane Maersk' is a testament to our ongoing drive towards a more sustainable shipping industry," said Vincent Clerc, CEO of A.P. Moller-Maersk. "This ship and its sister vessels expand our offerings for customers seeking to decarbonize their supply chains."

Industry-Wide Impact

Maersk's investment in methanol technology has spurred interest among other carriers. Dual-fuel propulsion using methanol was the top choice for newbuilds last year, overtaking LNG-fueled vessels.