Nike to christen Maersk’s new methanol-enabled containership

American sportswear corporation Nike will christen A.P. Moller–Maersk’s new methanol-enabled containership at the Port of Los Angeles Outer Harbor on August 27, 2024.

Powered by green fuel for its maiden voyage and capable of carrying more than 16,000 containers (TEUs), the boxship will be named at a private ceremony. The vessel is the fifth in Maersk’s fleet that can sail on green methanol, an alternative to conventional bunker oil.

Maersk’s new containerships have several innovative design features that set them apart from traditional container vessels, including positioning the crew accommodation and bridge at the bow and a single funnel at the stern.

These design elements allow for increased container capacity and improved efficiency during port operations, according to Maersk. The new 350-meter-long vessel will be sailing from Asia.

As a partner in the name-giving event, Nike shares Maersk’s commitment to decarbonizing supply chains. Maersk explores and studies various alternative fuels in pursuit of its goal to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040. The company defines green fuels as fuels with at least 65% reductions in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions on a lifecycle basis compared to fossil reference fuels.

“Nike is committed to protecting the future of sport and we leverage science-based targets to guide us through our Move to Zero journey. Operating one of the largest supply chains in the world, we have a responsibility to advance the innovation and use of more sustainable methods that get us closer to zero carbon and zero waste. By working with suppliers like Maersk, who share our commitment to sustainability, we are scaling our use of biofuels in ocean transportation, our main first-mile delivery channel,” Venkatesh Alagirisamy, Nike Chief Supply Chain Officer, said.

“This event is not only an opportunity to celebrate a remarkable engineering achievement, but the chance to highlight that we can navigate towards more sustainable supply chains if we work together,” Charles van der Steene, Regional President for Maersk North America, stated.

In the same month, the Danish shipping giant will christen another methanol-enabled vessel. Danish wind power major Vestas will christen the ship.

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 its targets are met, the shipowner ordered 24 containerships which will be equipped with dual-fuel engines and will be able to operate on green methanol.

Ane Maersk, Maersk’s first large methanol-enabled vessel, was christened at a ceremony held at HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HD HHI) in Ulsan, South Korea, in January this year. The second large containership was named Astrid Maersk this April.