European Commission head Ursula von der Leyen presided over the christening ceremony of the world's first bio-methanol container ship, officially named Laura, as it became part of the Danish shipping behemoth Maersk's fleet. This groundbreaking vessel, constructed in South Korea by Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI), boasts a dual-fuel engine and is a relatively modest-sized model with the capacity to transport 2,136 20-foot containers (TEU). Laura is set to commence operations in the Baltic Sea starting this October.

During the inauguration ceremony held in Copenhagen's harbour, Maersk's Chief Executive, Vincent Clerc, underscored the significance of green methanol, also referred to as "e-methanol," as their fuel of choice. He emphasised that this innovative solution represents the most scalable approach to meeting the imperative net-zero carbon emissions requirements. Clerc stated, "Neither we nor the climate can afford complacency or waiting for other solutions to emerge in the late 2020s."

As is customary for vessel christenings, Ursula von der Leyen swung a bottle of champagne against the ship's hull to commemorate the occasion.

Green methanol, also known as "e-methanol," is crafted from waste carbon dioxide (CO2) and "green hydrogen," produced by utilising renewable energy to split water molecules.

Over the past couple of years, Maersk, which stands as the world's leader in container shipping, has placed orders for 25 vessels fueled by green methanol. Out of this fleet, 19 are currently under construction and projected to set sail by 2025. Maersk anticipates that these initiatives will allow them to slash their annual carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 2.3 million tonnes.

Notably, Laura alone is anticipated to reduce Maersk's CO2 emissions by a significant 100 tonnes per day, compared to the same vessel running on conventional fuel oil.

On a global scale, it's worth noting that maritime transport carries a heavier environmental footprint than air transport, as highlighted by the Higher Institute of Maritime Economics (ISEMAR). The maritime sector accounts for approximately 2.89 per cent of the total greenhouse gas emissions, based on the latest figures published by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO).

In alignment with its sustainability commitments, Maersk, which divested its oil division to TotalEnergies in 2017, has set the ambitious goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2040.