World’s 1st large methanol-powered containership bunkered in Ulsan

Ane Maersk, the world’s first large methanol dual-fuel containership, has completed its first ship-to-ship (STS) green methanol bunkering at Ulsan Port, South Korea.

The green methanol was bunkered to 16,000 TEU Ane Maersk, Maersk’s first large methanol-powered containership, by Golden Sunny Hana, a bunkership owned by South Korean shipping company Hana Marine.

The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries and Ulsan Port Authority announced the completion of the bunkering operation, as Korea eyes growth in the space of sustainable marine fueling for its ports.

The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries established the relevant institutional foundation, including the ‘Guidelines for Approval of Self-Safety Management Plan for Methanol Supply’ building on the know-how acquired through two methanol supply demonstrations with Ulsan Port Authority in July and November last year.

“Competition among international ports to preempt the market by building ports that supply sustainable marine fuel is accelerating,” said Kang Do-Hyung, the Minister of Oceans and Fisheries.

“Under the goal of achieving net-zero by 2050 in the global shipping sector, we will make all-out efforts to strengthen competitiveness so that Korea can lead the global trend of switching to sustainable fuels.”

“Following the success of the world’s first green methanol PTS bunkering for container ships in July last year, Ulsan Port has succeeded in green methanol STS bunkering for a very large container ship,” Kim Jae-gyun, the president of Ulsan Port Authority, commented.

“We will do our best to proactively respond to the paradigm shift in ship fuel so that Ulsan Port can be reborn as a hub port for sustainable marine fuel supply.”

Ane Maersk was named at HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HD HHI) in Ulsan two weeks ago. It is the first of Maersk’s 18 large methanol-enabled vessels that will be delivered between 2024 and 2025. It is the world’s second methanol-enabled container vessel.

The ship is scheduled to enter into service at the beginning of February. It will operate on the AE7 string connecting Asia and Europe.

As was the case for Lura Maersk, the company has secured green methanol for Ane Mærsk’s maiden voyage.