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World’s first methanol-fuelled boxship christened and named “Laura Maersk”

EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen revealed the name at a ceremony in Port of Copenhagen; ship’s godmother, President von der Leyen, christened the vessel.

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A.P. Moller - Maersk (Maersk) on Thursday (14 September) said the world’s first methanol-enabled container vessel will carry the name “Laura Maersk” after the EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen revealed it at a ceremony in the Port of Copenhagen. 

The 172-metre-long vessel embarked on her maiden voyage after leaving Hyundai Mipo Dockyard in Korea to Copenhagen where it formally received its name during a ceremony at Toldboden, next to the Maersk headquarter.

The ship’s godmother, President von der Leyen, christened the vessel by breaking a champagne bottle over the bow. Besides the godmother, Maersk Chair Robert Uggla and Maersk Chief Executive Officer Vincent Clerc also spoke at the ceremony.

“Laura Maersk is a historic milestone for shipping across the globe. It shows the entrepreneurial spirit that has characterised Maersk since the founding of the company, said Vincent Clerc, CEO of Maersk.

“However, more importantly this vessel is a very real proof point that when we as an industry unite through determined efforts and partnerships, a tangible and optimistic path toward a sustainable future emerges. This new green vessel is the breakthrough we needed, but we still have a long way to go before we make it all the way to zero.”

The firm said “Laura” is a proud Maersk name deeply rooted in some of the company’s very early innovative landmarks. When Captain Peter Maersk Moller bought his first steamship in 1886, he named her “Laura”. With its steam engine, “Laura” was a product of the second industrial revolution, making its impact on the shipping industry significant.

“Furthermore, “Laura” was the first vessel to wear the white seven-pointed star on a light blue background. This symbol later would become the logo of A.P. Moller - Maersk,” it said. 

Maersk has an ambitious 2040 target of net zero greenhouse gas emissions and aims to transport a minimum of 25% of Ocean cargo using green fuels by 2030. The 2,100 TEU (twenty-foot-equivalent) feeder vessel is an important step toward the long-term objective of gradually renewing the entire Maersk fleet to operate solely on green fuels. 

Maersk has 24 additional methanol vessels on order for delivery between 2024 and 2027 and a policy to only order new, owned vessels that come with a green fuel option.

Photo credit: A.P. Moller - Maersk
Published: 15 September, 2023

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Methanol

India’s first bio-methanol bunker barge to be part of new bunkering facility project

Construction of the bunker barge is part of a MoU between Bapu’s Shipping Jamnagar and Deendayal Port Authority to develop a methanol bunkering facility at Kandla.

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India’s first bio-methanol bunker barge to be part of new bunkering facility project

India’s shipping company Bapu’s Shipping Jamnagar on Sunday (9 February) announced it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Deendayal Port Authority on 8 February to develop a methanol bunkering facility at Kandla. 

The firm said the construction of India’s first bio-methanol bunker barge will be a key part of this initiative to cater to the growing requirement for sustainable maritime fuel. 

“India’s first methanol bunker barge will be constructed at Deendayal Port, marking a significant step in accelerating green shipping and decarbonisation,” said Bhupendra Sinh Jadeja, Managing Director of Bapu’s Shipping. 

“With global ports like Shanghai, Ulsan, Singapore, and Rotterdam advancing methanol bunkering, India is stepping up! Deendayal Port Authority has committed to providing necessary infrastructure support to fast-track the bunker supply chain.”

“We are honoured to be their channel partner in this transformative journey.”

 

Photo credit: Bapu’s Shipping Jamnagar
Published: 12 February, 2025

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Alternative Fuels

Ammonia, methanol bunkering infrastructures among 39 projects to receive EU funding

Both projects aim to deploy a ship-to-ship bunkering system at the ports of Huelva and Algeciras respectively and include a 7500 m3 bunkering vessel each.

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Guillaume Périgois on Unsplash

Editor's Note [12 February 2025] : Article updated on CEPSA 

Two projects involving ammonia and methanol bunkering infrastructures in the ports of Huelva and Algeciras in Spain were among 39 projects to receive funding under the first cut-off deadline of 2024-2025 Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Facility (AFIF) of the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF), according to the European Commission recently. 

The first ammonia bunkering infrastructure will be in Algecirasa as part of the Andalusian Green Hydrogen Valley. The project aims to deploy a ship-to-ship ammonia bunkering system in the port of Algeciras. 

It includes a 7500 m3 ammonia bunkering vessel, an on-shore ship loading system and the piping infrastructure for the transport of ammonia from the production site to the loading dock.  

Meanwhile, the first methanol bunkering infrastructure will be in Huelva, also as part of the Andalusian Green Hydrogen Valley. The project aims to deploy a ship-to-ship methanol bunkering system in the port of Algeciras. 

It includes a 7500 m3 methanol bunkering vessel, an on shore ship loading system and the piping infrastructure for the transport of methanol from the production site to the loading dock.

The coordinator for both bunkering projects is Spanish bunker fuel supplier CEPSA, which has been renamed to Moeve in October last year. 

The European Commission said the EU is allocating nearly EUR 422 million to the 39 projects that will deploy alternative fuels supply infrastructure along the trans-European transport network (TEN-T), contributing to decarbonisation. 

With this selection, the AFIF will support other projects including approximately 2,500 electric recharging points for light-duty vehicles and 2,400 for heavy-duty vehicles along the European TEN-T road network, 35 hydrogen refuelling stations for cars, trucks and buses, the electrification of ground handling services in eight airports and the greening of nine ports.

Following EU Member States’ approval of the selected projects on 4 February, the European Commission will adopt the award decision in the coming months, after which the results will become definitive. 

The European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA) has started the preparation of the grant agreements with the beneficiaries of successful projects.

Note: The full list of successful projects can be viewed here.

 

Photo credit: Guillaume Périgois on Unsplash
Published: 11 February, 2025

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Alternative Fuels

Meyer Werft and partners kick off green methanol fuel cells project for cruise ship

Project’s core goal is for DLR to create large scale fuel cell stacks and Freudenberg e-Power Systems to create fuel cell systems that can be retrofitted on existing cruise ships.

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Meyer Werft and partners kick off green methanol fuel cells project for cruise ship

German shipbuilder Meyer Werft recently said it launched the zero4cruise project at Freudenberg e-Power Systems in Munich, together with project partners Freudenberg e-Power Systems and German Aerospace Center (DLR).

Building on previous developments, zero4cruise focuses on fuel cell technology powered by green methanol, according to the company.

“The project addresses a critical challenge for the maritime industry: developing climate-friendly and low emission energy systems for cruise ships,” it said in a social media post. 

The project’s core goal is for DLR to create large scale fuel cell stacks and Freudenberg e-Power Systems to create fuel cell systems that can be retrofitted on existing ships. 

“This retrofit approach is key to accelerating the decarbonisation of the cruise sector, which is vital given the long operational lifespans of vessels,” it said. 

The hybrid energy system will combine PEM fuel cells with a methanol reformer and battery systems to optimize efficiency and ensure ships can operate carbon-neutral in ports and coastal areas.

“zero4cruise is not just about new technologies—it’s about creating practical, scalable solutions that can transform existing fleets into sustainable vessels, ensuring that ships in harbours and coastal areas can operate with low emissions,” Meyer Werft added.

 

Photo credit: Meyer Werft
Published: 6 February, 2025

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