AP Moller-Maersk is expecting the delivery of eight methanol-fueled container vessels from Hyundai Heavy Industries by 2024, which would stimulate the use of environmentally friendly fuel in the industry. The 16,000 twenty-foot-equivalent vessels will replace older ships and help Maersk cut CO2 emissions by 1 million tons/year. The company has an option for four additional methanol-fueled vessels in 2025.
Maersk also said it would launch its first 2,100-TEU methanol-powered feeder vessel in 2023 and had secured 10,000 tons of renewably sourced methanol for its fuel. While methanol-fueled vessels are currently 10%-15% more expensive than their fossil-fueled ones, Maersk believed the costs would lower once the company started operating more methanol-fueled ships. The company said the technology for methanol already exists, making it one of the future solutions for marine fuels.
