FUTURE FUELS
Over the next few decades it is hoped that the use of fossil fuels in the maritime sector can be eliminated because of their polluting impact on the environment, and replaced by ‘clean’ fuels, such as ammonia, methanol and hydrogen.
Although considerable work and testing still needs to be done to ensure the safe supply and use of these future fuels, ships are already either using them or being prepared to use them in the future.
METHANOL FOR MAERSK
Denmark’s A.P. Møller–Mærsk has made the biggest bet to date on methanol by ordering eight 16,000TEU methanol-fuelled container ships from South Korea’s Hyundai Heavy Industries for delivery by 2025. At the start of this year another four ships were added to the order, and all 12 will replace a similar amount of existing capacity in the Maersk fleet that is nearing retirement age.
The conversion to methanol is in line with the Danish company’s earlier announced plan to achieve net zero emissions by 2040. According to Maersk, the 12 new vessels will generate total annual CO2 emissions savings of approximately 1.5 million tons, or about 4.5 per cent of total Maersk fleet emissions. The 350m by 53.5m capacity fuel tanks to allow a complete round-trip from Asia to Europe on methanol without refuelling.
