Maersk Launches First Methanol-Powered Ship in Pursuit of Carbon Neutrality

The competition for climate-neutral propulsion for container ships is intensifying, with shipping company Möller-Maersk launching its first ship powered by green methanol. The "Laura Maersk" is considered a significant step toward a carbon-neutral future for container shipping. It is powered by green methanol, an odorless alcohol that can be produced without CO2 emissions. Möller-Maersk aims to achieve climate neutrality by 2040 using this new fuel.

The "Laura Maersk" is just the beginning, as another methanol-powered large container ship is set to be commissioned on February 9, 2024. This ship, capable of transporting up to 16,000 containers between China and Europe, signifies a significant advancement. Möller-Maersk plans to have 25 methanol-powered ships, potentially saving 2.75 million tons of CO2, in operation by the end of the decade.

Despite these efforts, the shipping industry's total emissions remain a challenge, estimated at around one billion tons of CO2 annually. Currently responsible for 3% of global CO2 emissions, the industry is as environmentally impactful as global aviation. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) is pushing for a quicker transition to cleaner maritime energy, setting ambitious emission reduction targets for the industry.

The IMO's targets include a 20% reduction in CO2 emissions from shipping by 2030, 70% by 2040, and full carbon neutrality by 2050. Pressure for climate action is not only coming from regulators but also from customers, with major clients like Amazon, Disney, H&M, and Microsoft demanding climate-friendly transportation in their supply chains.

The industry is exploring alternative fuels, with a focus on methanol and ammonia. Methanol, derived from renewable sources or biomass, is considered climate-neutral, but it faces challenges of high cost and limited port infrastructure. Ammonia, on the other hand, is considered a promising alternative, and it already has existing infrastructure, but it comes with challenges such as toxicity.

To address these challenges, engine manufacturers like MAN Energy are developing engines capable of using new fuels. The race for a cleaner maritime industry is on, with methanol and ammonia emerging as potential frontrunners in the quest for climate-neutral shipping.