A.P. Moller-Maersk announces six partnerships that are to secure the carrier’s supply of new and more climate-friendly fuels. The aim is to receive supplies of at least 730,000 tonnes of methanol from the end of 2025. Utility Ørsted is among the suppliers.
Thursday morning, Maersk takes an important step on the road to securing a global supply of methanol for its fleet of new and more climate-friendly ships.
The Danish carrier announces strategic partnerships with six different companies, including Danish energy company Ørsted, which will supply Maersk with methanol in the future, according to a press release.
Besides Ørsted, Maersk has made deals with two Chinese companies in the form of industry conglomerate Cimc Enric as well as Green Technology Bank. Furthermore, deals have been made with methanol producer Proman, Denmark-based European Energy and Wasteful. Maersk has investments in the latter via its venture branch.
Geographically, the projects are spread out between China as well as North and South America.
These partnerships mark an important milestone to get the transition to green energy underway
Henriette Hallberg Thygesen, CEO of Fleet & Strategic Brands, A.P. Moller-Maersk
”To transition towards decarbonization, we need a significant and timely acceleration in the production of green fuels. Green methanol is the only market-ready and scalable available solution today for shipping. Production must be increased through collaboration across the ecosystem and around the world. That is why these partnerships mark an important milestone to get the transition to green energy underway,” states Henriette Hallberg Thygesen, CEO of Fleet & Strategic Brands, A.P. Moller-Maersk.
At least 730,000 tonnes from the end of 2025
If the projects play out as projected, the carrier will receive supplies of 730,000 tonnes of methanol – counting both e- and bio-methanol – from the end of 2025. From here, the supply is expected to grow.
When the projects are fully developed, Maersk will be able to supply its vessels with green methanol across several regions of the world, it says.
”With this production capacity, by the end of 2025 at the latest, Maersk will reach well beyond the green methanol needed for the first 12 green container vessels currently on order,” the statement reads.
Maersk has put forth an overview showing that Ørsted, European Energy and Proman are expected to be the primary suppliers from the end of 2025. After 2025, the Chinese partners, in particular, are supposed to dial up their production, it says.
The collaborations are part of Maersk’s long-standing attempt to secure partners for the supply of large amounts of alternative fuels, which the carrier is to use in order to reach its goal of climate neutrality by 2040.
Initially, Maersk has ordered 13 container vessels, one of roughly 2,100 teu and 12 of 16,000 teu, equipped with dual-fuel engines and able to sail on green methanol. The smaller ship is expected for delivery next year, while the remaining are supposed to become available during Q1 2024.
