Maersk and Equinor ink agreement for supply of green methanol bunker fuel

A.P. Moller – Maersk (Maersk) on Friday (8 September) said it has signed an agreement with Equinor to secure supply of green methanol for Maersk’s first methanol-powered feeder vessel during its initial months of operation from September 2023 and into the first half of 2024.

The agreement ensures green methanol supply for the ship from its entry into operation on a loop from Northern Europe into the Baltic Sea after the name giving ceremony later this month in Copenhagen. The green methanol will be bunkered in Rotterdam. 

The 172-meter-long vessel is currently embarking on its maiden voyage after leaving Hyundai Mipo Dockyard in Korea to Copenhagen where it will formally receive its name during a ceremony at Toldboden, next to the Maersk headquarter. The ship’s maiden voyage has marked milestones in bunkering operations for many ports including Singapore.

Alex Grant, Senior Vice President for the liquid commodity segment at Equinor, said: “Equinor is pleased to be partnering up with Maersk in delivering greener fuels to the marine industry. Equinor is an established player in the European methanol market through its production plant at Tjeldbergodden and we have ambitions to be a key provider of green methanol in the marine fuel segment.”

Maersk said the biomethanol is produced from biogas from manure. The biogas is upgraded to biomethane and injected into the existing gas grid and the methanol is produced from the biomethane in the grid on a mass-balance basis. 

“The existing European biogas certificate system is used to trace the attributes of the biomethane to the biomethanol and safeguard against double-claims. This way, green methanol can be produced in existing facilities using existing infrastructure and plants enabling a quick route to market,” it added. 

“The method can contribute to a greener gas grid while capturing harmful methane emissions that would arise from the manure feedstock if left untouched. The biomethanol is ISCC EU certified in accordance with the EU Renewable Energy Directive.”

Rabab Boulos, Chief Infrastructure Officer at A.P. Moller – Maersk, said: “We are very pleased to partner with Equinor, as it’s entering this business area. It is critical to get energy majors to the table and start supplying future fuels at scale.”

“This is the form of engagement we need to continue accelerating the pioneering journey towards a green fuel economy for global shipping. With more than 100 methanol enabled vessels on order across the industry, the demand for green fuel production is rising and will continue to do so in the years to come.”

Photo credit: A.P. Moller – Maersk
Published: 11 September, 2023