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Danish container shipping heavyweight Maersk has signed its first methanol dual-fuel conversion project with Chinese shipbuilder Zhoushan Xinya Shipbuilding Co.
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The momentous deal, inked during a special ceremony held on October 18, 2023, signifies the inception of the world’s maiden containership methanol dual-fuel conversion project.
The strategic conversion of vessels to operate on methanol is currently a focal point in the shipping industry’s relentless quest to reduce its carbon footprint. The demand for retrofits also has a huge market potential for the ship repair industry.
Maersk announced the retrofit plans for an existing containership in June this year. As disclosed, the conversion to a dual-fuel methanol propulsion is scheduled for 2024 and Maersk is planning to expand the retrofit project on a number of sister vessels when going for a special survey in 2027.
To this end, Maersk has contracted German MAN Energy Solutions (MAN ES) to retrofit the engine.
Under the agreement with MAN ES, a total of 11 vessels equipped with MAN B&W 8G95ME-C9.5 prime movers will be retrofitted to dual-fuel MAN B&W 8G95ME-LGIM10.5 types capable of operation on fuel-oil/methanol.
Zhoushan Xinya Shipbuilding revealed that it had won the contract to implement the world’s first containership methanol retrofit for Maersk Group at the end of September.
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Speaking at the ceremony, the shipyard’s General Manager, Xia Songkang, expressed his gratitude and highlighted the unwavering support from government officials and Maersk, for making this endeavor a reality.
The yard’s head described the signing of this pioneering methanol conversion project as a historic accomplishment for Zhoushan Xinya Shipbuilding, propelling the company into a realm of sustainable ship construction and repair.
Brian Voldsgaard, Senior Purchasing Director of Maersk Group, elaborated on Maersk’s unwavering commitment to shaping a cleaner, more sustainable shipping industry.
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By venturing into the world’s first container ship methanol dual-fuel conversion project, Maersk reinforces its dedication to becoming a beacon for decarbonization within the global maritime sector, Voldsgaard said.
The project aligns with Maersk’s 2040 net-zero emissions target and charts the path toward a sustainable future, embodying the vision of eco-friendly shipping.
The conversion project is the latest milestone in Maersk’s strategy of adoption of methanol as part of its decarbonization efforts.
In September, Maersk christened its first methanol-powered containership, Laura Maersk.
In addition, at the beginning of October, South Korea’s Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) launched the first of twelve Maersk’s 16,200 TEU methanol-powered container ships.
Maersk has ordered a total of 25 methanol-powered container carriers from shipbuilders such as Hyundai Heavy Industries, Hyundai Mipo Dockyard, and Yangzijiang Shipbuilding Group.
This order includes six vessels with a capacity of 17,000 TEU, twelve 16,000 TEU boxships, and one feeder ship ordered in 2021. Additionally, six mid-sized container vessels are under construction at Yangzijiang Shipbuilding Group in China.
Maersk aims to have its full fleet of methanol-powered vessels operational by 2027.
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