As of: March 28, 2024 8:13 a.m
A large container ship that runs on green methanol moored in the port of Hamburg on Thursday morning for the first time. The “Ane Maersk” is around 350 meters long – and is said to emit significantly less CO2 than conventional freighters.
The ship belonging to the Danish shipping company Maersk differs from most of the other container freighters that head to the port of Hamburg from a purely external point of view. Because the tanks for methanol require more space, the bridge of the “Ane Maersk” is located at the very front of the bow. Behind them are the stacks of containers. The freighter, which is used on regular services between Southeast Asia and Northern Europe, can hold around 16,000 boxes.
Green methanol is considered a promising fuel
Green methanol is almost CO2-neutral and is considered a promising fuel to replace fossil fuels such as ship diesel or heavy oil. However, the production of green methanol requires a lot of electricity from renewable sources, which is why fuel is still in short supply.
Greenhouse gas emissions are significantly reduced
Unusual picture on container ships: On the “Ane Maersk” the bridge is positioned right at the front.
Maersk is considered a pioneer in the container ship sector when it comes to methanol propulsion. The ship currently runs on bio-methanol, which reduces greenhouse gas emissions by around two thirds – compared to propulsion using conventional ship fuels such as low sulfur.
In the next step, synthetically produced fuels will also be used, which will reduce emissions even further. According to a Maersk spokesman, e-methanol, which is produced synthetically with CO2 and green hydrogen, could save up to 95 percent of emissions in the long term – including emissions from the production and transport of the fuel.
Maersk is planning 17 more methanol container ships
In the next two years, Maersk plans to put 17 more container ships the size of the “Ane Maersk” into operation, which will also run on green methanol. In September 2023, the company had already named the smaller “Laura Maersk”, which, according to the shipping company, was the world’s first methanol-capable container ship. The big sister “Ane Maersk” was the first of the larger series of ships to set off on the journey at the beginning of February. It was built in South Korea. Maersk is aiming for “net zero” greenhouse gas emissions by 2040. The Danish group is the world‘s second largest container shipping company after MSC.
Strong surcharges for transport using green fuel
However, customers who have their containers transported on ships using green fuel currently have to pay hefty surcharges, several hundred euros on the route between Asia and Europe alone – per box.
The “Ane Maersk” will remain in the port of Hamburg until Saturday.
AUDIO: Container ship with methanol drive in the port of Hamburg (1 min)
Further information
The large container ship from the Danish shipping company Maersk is more environmentally friendly than others. The design is also special. (December 18, 2023) more
The container shipping company from Hamburg wants to form a new alliance with the Maersk Group – and send less cargo to the port of Hamburg in the future. (01/18/2024) more
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NDR 90.3 | NDR 90.3 Current | March 28, 2024 | 6:30 a.m