World’s First Methanol Powered Containership Reaches Final Destination

The world’s first container vessel powered by green methanol has arrived in the port of Copenhagen after completing its maiden trip from South Korea. The 2,100 TEU boxship, built at South Korea’s Hyundai Mipo Dockyard, was assisted into the port by Svitzer and will be officially named during a ceremony tomorrow. Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission, will be the godmother of the new feeder vessel. The ship’s use of green methanol represents a groundbreaking approach to reducing the carbon footprint of maritime transportation. It was fueled by green methanol from Dutch OCI Global for its maiden voyage and will receive green methanol from Equinor in Rotterdam until European Energy starts producing e-methanol from its new plant in 2024.

Both Maersk and its Svitzer arm have identified methanol as the central part of their decarbonization strategies. Svitzer aims to lower carbon intensity by 50% by 2030 and become carbon neutral by 2040. Maersk also confirmed the arrival of the vessel as the company prepares for the christening ceremony. The 2,100 TEU container vessel will stay in the Copenhagen harbor for about a week and be the focal point of events related to the shipping industry’s effort to decarbonize. The maiden voyage provided operational experience for Maersk seafarers as they handled the new engines and used methanol as fuel. Maersk plans to receive a fleet of new, large ocean-going methanol-enabled ships in 2024.

Source .