Maersk Says Zero-Emissions Shipping Push Needs Government Support
PORTS & SHIPPING

Maersk Says Zero-Emissions Shipping Push Needs Government Support

The Alette Maersk made history as the first container vessel powered by low-carbon methanol fuel to cross the Pacific Ocean, marking a significant milestone in the shipping industry's efforts to mitigate its climate impact.

However, upon arriving at the Port of Los Angeles from China last week, the 1,148-foot (350-metre) vessel faced a challenge: there were no available sources of green fuel in the US, necessitating a reliance on petroleum-based maritime fuel for its return journey.

During a day-long ship naming event, representatives from AP Moller-Maersk highlighted the urgent need for more affordable green fuel to enable the industry, which contributes nearly 3 per cent of global greenhouse gases, to decarbonize at the required rate to combat climate change, as advised by scientists and world governments.

Maersk CEO Vincent Clerc emphasised the urgency of the situation, stating that "we're on a clock." Maersk is committed to achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040 and has positioned itself as a leader in the energy transition within its sector, with five green methanol ships already operational and another 20 on order.

Despite these advancements, the new vessels represent only a small fraction of Maersk's fleet of 700 owned and chartered ships. The new ships are also dual-fuelled, allowing them to operate on fossil fuels when green methanol is too costly or unavailable.

Green methanol, which can be produced from agricultural and food waste or through carbon dioxide and hydrogen using renewable electricity, currently costs two to three times more than fossil fuels. Maersk representatives noted that global production of green methanol is still very limited. However, China's Goldwind has committed to supplying green methanol for the first of Maersk's 12 large ocean-going vessels scheduled to use this fuel, with deliveries expected to begin in 2026.


The Alette Maersk made history as the first container vessel powered by low-carbon methanol fuel to cross the Pacific Ocean, marking a significant milestone in the shipping industry's efforts to mitigate its climate impact.However, upon arriving at the Port of Los Angeles from China last week, the 1,148-foot (350-metre) vessel faced a challenge: there were no available sources of green fuel in the US, necessitating a reliance on petroleum-based maritime fuel for its return journey.During a day-long ship naming event, representatives from AP Moller-Maersk highlighted the urgent need for more affordable green fuel to enable the industry, which contributes nearly 3 per cent of global greenhouse gases, to decarbonize at the required rate to combat climate change, as advised by scientists and world governments.Maersk CEO Vincent Clerc emphasised the urgency of the situation, stating that we're on a clock. Maersk is committed to achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040 and has positioned itself as a leader in the energy transition within its sector, with five green methanol ships already operational and another 20 on order.Despite these advancements, the new vessels represent only a small fraction of Maersk's fleet of 700 owned and chartered ships. The new ships are also dual-fuelled, allowing them to operate on fossil fuels when green methanol is too costly or unavailable.Green methanol, which can be produced from agricultural and food waste or through carbon dioxide and hydrogen using renewable electricity, currently costs two to three times more than fossil fuels. Maersk representatives noted that global production of green methanol is still very limited. However, China's Goldwind has committed to supplying green methanol for the first of Maersk's 12 large ocean-going vessels scheduled to use this fuel, with deliveries expected to begin in 2026.

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

What Industry Wants!

The construction industry is gearing up for Budget 2025 with high expectations. As one of India’s key economic drivers, the sector is eagerly anticipating reforms and policies to address pressing challenges such as high input costs, funding gaps, and sustainability demands. Industry leaders across real estate, infrastructure, construction materials, and logistics have shared their wishlists, urging the government to focus on GST rationalization, increased CAPEX, and green initiatives.This year’s budget presents an opportunity for the government to not only tackle existing bottlenecks but a..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

Messe Stuttgart, Startup India Tie-Up to Boost Funding

The logistics market in India is poised for significant growth, with a projected revenue of $357.3 billion by 2030. Despite this huge potential, a recent McKinsey & Company report highlights the decline in logistics funding following the pandemic that remains a significant concern. After receiving unprecedented funding of $25.6 billion in 2021, venture capital investment in logistics startups fell sharply to $2.9 billion in 2023—a nearly 90 per cent decrease, marking the lowest since 2015. This pullback from investors is attributed to several factors, including high interest rates, a glo..

Next Story
Infrastructure Transport

JK Tyre Strengthens Road Safety Commitment

Reinforcing its unwavering commitment to road safety, JK Tyre & Industries, a leader in the tyre manufacturing industry, partnered with the Delhi Traffic Police to organise a comprehensive Road Safety Awareness Week. This initiative, held as part of National Road Safety Month (January 1–31, 2025) spearheaded by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), aimed to foster responsible driving habits and reduce road accidents. Under the theme ‘Sadak Suraksha Jeevan Raksha,’ the initiative commenced on January 16, 2025, at the Delhi Police Traffic Training Park, BKS. The program feat..

Hi There!

"Now get regular updates from CW Magazine on WhatsApp!

Join the CW WhatsApp channel for the latest news, industry events, expert insights, and project updates from the construction and infrastructure industry.

Click the link below to join"

+91 81086 03000