- The company aims to transition up to 20% of its marine fuel to alternatives like biodiesel, green methanol, and bio-methane by 2030, aligning with its net-zero target by 2040.
- Maersk launched its first dual-fueled methanol container vessel and plans to receive 18 such ships by 2025.
- High costs, limited supply, and lower energy intensity compared to traditional fuels hinder the widespread adoption of green methanol.
- Maersk advocates for stronger IMO regulations to incentivize the shift to alternative fuels.
A.P. Moller-Maersk, a leading container shipping giant, is steering towards sustainability with ambitious plans to integrate alternative fuels into its operations. By 2030, the company aims for 15%-20% of its marine fuel consumption to come from green options, including biodiesel, green methanol, and bio-methane. However, challenges such as high costs and supply constraints remain barriers to scaling these solutions, reports Reuters.
Maersk’s Push Towards Sustainability
Maersk currently consumes 10-11 million metric tons of fuel oil annually, with just 3% of it being alternative fuels in 2023. By 2030, the company envisions increasing this share to 20%, contingent on the success of energy efficiency initiatives. Key fuels include:
- Green methanol: Central to Maersk’s future strategy.
- Biodiesel: Already in limited use.
- Bio-methane: Emerging in Europe and North America and suitable for LNG-powered ships.
New Methanol Vessels
In a milestone move, Maersk has launched its first dual-fueled methanol container vessel with plans for 17 more by 2025.
These ships, designed to store and utilize 16,000 cubic meters of methanol, can traverse routes from Asia to Europe on green fuel.
Challenges in Alternative Fuel Adoption
While the demand for methanol-powered ships is rising, the supply of green methanol lags significantly. Additional challenges include:
- Lower energy intensity: Ships need roughly double the volume of methanol compared to traditional fuels.
- High costs: Alternative fuels are twice as expensive as conventional marine fuel.
Regulatory and Market Dynamics
Maersk President Asia Pacific, Ditlev Blicher, emphasized the need for stronger regulations to make dirty fuels less economically attractive.
Maersk is collaborating with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to push for global regulatory structures, which could be set as early as April 2025.
Broader Implications for the Shipping Industry
Drawing parallels to the renewable energy sector, Blicher highlighted that scaling technologies like solar panels or EVs required a mix of economies of scale and regulatory support.
Similar efforts are needed to make green fuels commercially viable in the maritime industry.
GHG Emissions Reduction
With the maritime industry responsible for 3% of global greenhouse gas emissions, Maersk’s transition sets a precedent for other shipping companies.
The adoption of alternative fuels could significantly impact global trade dynamics and environmental targets.
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Source: Reuters
