Danish logistics giant A.P. Moller-Maersk signed a memorandum of understanding with HD Hyundai to cooperate on decarbonized shipping technology and integrated logistics services, Maersk said Tuesday.
Through the MOU, Maersk will apply HD Hyundai’s ship decarbonization technologies to its fleet to reduce carbon emissions, while HD Hyundai plans to expand the use of Maersk’s integrated logistics services across its affiliates.
Specifically, the two companies will conduct a six-month trial applying Avikus’ HiNAS, an advanced navigation solution for energy-efficient vessel operations, and HD Hyundai Marine Solution’s OCEANWISE route optimisation on a Maersk container vessel built and delivered by HD Hyundai Heavy Industries.
The purpose of this trial is to validate the fuel-saving and greenhouse gas emission-reduction impacts of optimised navigation systems.
The two partners aim to explore cooperation in the field of ship retrofitting for decarbonisation, including optimising engine efficiency, increasing container ship cargo capacity, and retrofitting dual-fuel propulsion systems and will also collaborate on joint research to examine the feasibility of the solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) system.
Furthermore, HD Hyundai will leverage Maersk’s integrated logistics services to expand ocean freight volumes supported by the Danish giant’s “East-West Network” and utilize the logistics company’s capabilities across airfreight services and land transportation, as well as warehousing infrastructure.
HD Hyundai has received orders for a total of 19 methanol-powered container ships from Maersk since 2021, including the world’s first methanol-powered ultra-large container ship, according to the Danish company Maersk.
“Our partnership with HD Hyundai has been built over decades, founded on mutual trust and respect. This Memorandum of Understanding marks an important milestone, reinforcing the strong relationship we have developed and paving the way for even greater collaboration in the future,” said Robert Maersk Uggla.
