Maersk: World’s second large methanol-powered containership named in Yokohama

Danish shipping giant A.P. Moller Maersk has held a naming ceremony for the world’s second large methanol-enabled container vessel in Yokohama, Japan.

The containership was named Astrid Maersk. Liza Uchida, spouse of Makoto Uchida, CEO of Nissan Motor Corporation served as godmother and christened the vessel.

“We are truly excited to welcome Astrid Mærsk to our new fleet capable of sailing on green methanol. With this vessel and her sister vessels, Maersk is taking important steps on the journey towards the energy transition of ocean transport. No one can do this alone. To enable green supply chains and accelerate shipping’s move towards net-zero emissions, continuous courageous action by dedicated customers like Nissan, industry peers, and suppliers is essential,” said Maersk CEO Vincent Clerc.

Astrid Maersk is the second of 18 large methanol-enabled vessels to be delivered in 2024 and 2025. The container vessel was built by Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) in South Korea and has a nominal capacity of 16,000 containers (TEU). It is equipped with a dual-fuel engine developed by German engine manufacturer MAN Energy Solutions (MAN ES) to enable operations on methanol.

The ship will enter into service on the AE12 string connecting Asia and Europe during April, the shipowner noted.

To remind, the first vessel in this class, Ane Maersk, was christened in January this year. The ceremony took place in Ulsan, South Korea.

Maersk has a total of 25 methanol-powered container carriers on order at Hyundai Heavy Industries, Hyundai Mipo Dockyard and Yangzijiang Shipbuilding Group.

These include six vessels with a nominal capacity of 17,000 TEU ordered in October 2021, twelve 16,000 TEU boxships and one feeder ordered in 2021. Six mid-sized container vessels are booked at Yangzijiang Shipbuilding Group in China.

By the end of this decade, Maersk anticipates that these vessels will be sailing on green methanol, saving 2.75 million tons of CO2 emissions annually. The fleet renewal program is part of the company’s decarbonization agenda.

Furthermore, Maersk has set a net-zero greenhouse gas emissions target for 2040 across the entire business and has also set tangible and ambitious near-term targets for 2030 to ensure significant progress. 

Earlier on, the shipping giant christened the world’s first containership powered by green methanol in Copenhagen, Denmark. The vessel was named Laura Maersk by the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen.