Danish container giant Maersk named yesterday the world’s second large methanol-enabled container vessel “Astrid Mærsk” in a ceremony held in Yokohama, Japan.
“Astrid Mærsk” is the second of Maersk’s 18 large methanol-enabled vessels, scheduled for delivery between 2024 and 2025.
The Danish liner company claims that this new fleet series is expected to significantly contribute to Maersk’s net-zero targets.
The name giving ceremony of “Astrid Maersk” took place in Daikoku Pier Cruise Terminal in Yokohama city, where public audience could also register and get onboard for a vessel visit.
Mrs. Liza Uchida, spouse of Nissan Motor Corporation CEO Makoto Uchida, christened the vessel.
Vincent Clerc, chief executive of A.P. Moller Maersk, said: ”With this vessel and her sister vessels, Maersk is taking important steps on the journey towards the energy transition of ocean transport.
“No one can do this alone. To enable green supply chains and accelerate shipping’s move towards net-zero emissions, continuous courageous action by dedicated customers like Nissan, industry peers, and suppliers is essential.”
The top management of Maersk, Vincent Clerc, also noted that “to maintain momentum, there is a need for global regulations from the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to close the price gap between fossil and green fuels to secure a level playing field.”
Maersk’s aim is to achieve its net-zero greenhouse gas emissions target for 2040 across its entire business.
It has also established near-term targets for 2030 to ensure significant progress.
For that purpose, the Danish company will equip 25 of its container vessels with dual-fuel engines capable of sailing on green methanol.
Among these vessels are the feeder vessel “Laura Mærsk”, deployed in the intra-Europe trade in September 2023, and “Ane Mærsk”, a large 16,000 TEU green fuel-powered container vessel deployed in the Asia-Europe trade in January 2024.
