Hapag-Lloyd, one of the world’s leading container shipping companies, has announced a major step in its sustainability journey through a long-term offtake agreement for green methanol with Goldwind, a prominent clean energy partner headquartered in Beijing, China. This agreement, which secures the delivery of 250,000 tonnes of green methanol annually, marks a significant milestone in Hapag-Lloyd’s efforts to reduce its carbon footprint and align with global decarbonization objectives.
The green methanol supplied under this agreement will be a blend of bio- and e-methanol, ensuring a greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction of at least 70 percent compared to conventional fuels. This aligns with the company’s sustainability strategy and the Paris Agreement’s 1.5-degree target, positioning Hapag-Lloyd as a leader in the maritime industry’s transition toward cleaner fuels. It is projected that the use of green methanol will result in the reduction of up to 400,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions per year, supporting Hapag-Lloyd’s goal of achieving net-zero fleet operations by 2045.
Rolf Habben Jansen, CEO of Hapag-Lloyd, emphasized the significance of this agreement “As part of our Strategy 2030, we are fully committed to the 1.5-degree target of the Paris Agreement and therefore also to sustainable investments. With the agreement, we are securing a significant proportion of our requirements for green fuels. This will bring us an important step closer to our goal of achieving net-zero fleet operations by 2045. It is and remains our ambition to play a leading role in the transformation of the liner shipping industry.”
In line with its 2030 sustainability goals, Hapag-Lloyd aims to reduce its absolute GHG emissions by around one third compared to 2022 levels. By securing a significant volume of green methanol, the company is well-positioned to meet its short- and long-term decarbonization targets.
Goldwind, recognized as a global leader in clean energy, is planning to build a new green methanol factory adjacent to its existing project in Hinggan League, China. This new facility will significantly boost production capacity, and Goldwind plans to deliver an early volume of green methanol starting in 2026. The anticipated completion of a megaton-scale green methanol base in Hinggan League is slated for late 2027.
Wu Gang, Chairman of Goldwind, expressed pride in the partnership “We are honored to have reached this agreement with Hapag-Lloyd. This collaboration proves once again that Goldwind can win the trust of one of the most important shipping companies. We are grateful for the opportunity to become a strong decarbonization partner of Hapag-Lloyd, which aims to achieve carbon neutrality ahead of the shipping-industry targets and aligns closely with Goldwind’s corporate vision.”
In addition to this agreement, Hapag-Lloyd’s commitment to green methanol is part of a broader strategy to equip its fleet with multi-fuel capabilities. The company’s partnership with Seaspan to convert five 10,100 TEU charter ships to methanol dual-fuel propulsion systems is a key component of this initiative, with conversions scheduled for 2026. The green methanol will be used to power these ships, further demonstrating Hapag-Lloyd’s commitment to sustainable shipping solutions.
Jan Christensen, Senior Director of Global Fuel Purchasing at Hapag-Lloyd, noted “Green methanol represents a key pathway within Hapag-Lloyd’s multi-fuel strategy, underscoring our commitment to advancing more sustainable shipping solutions. This initiative is made possible through strong partnerships, and we greatly value our collaboration with Goldwind, whose expertise and shared vision are helping us make important progress toward decarbonization.”
The agreement underscores the importance of strategic partnerships in driving the decarbonization of the maritime industry. It also reflects the growing role of alternative fuels, like green methanol, in achieving the shipping industry’s environmental goals.
About Goldwind
Goldwind is a trusted global leader in clean energy, dedicated to advancing the transformation of energy systems to ensure affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy for all, driving a renewable future. The company specializes in energy development, equipment, services, and usage, leveraging its global network of scientific research and best practices to elevate renewable energy efficiency and utilization. Listed on both the SZSE and HKEX, Goldwind has earned multiple prestigious recognitions, including “Corporate Climate Leader,” “Most Respected Company in Asia,” and “Best Investor Relations Company.” It has also been named among the “Top 50 Most Innovative Companies in the World,” “Carbon Clean200,” “Top 500 Global New Energy Companies,” “New Fortune Best Listed Companies,” and “Fortune Top 500 Chinese Companies.”
About Hapag-Lloyd
Hapag-Lloyd is among the world’s top liner shipping companies, with a fleet of 287 modern container ships offering a total transport capacity of 2.2 million TEU. Operating the largest fleet under the German flag, Hapag-Lloyd maintains a presence in 140 countries through 13,700 employees and 400 offices worldwide. In addition to its vast container fleet, which includes a leading reefer segment, the company has equity stakes in 20 terminals across Europe, Latin America, North America, India, and North Africa, offering comprehensive logistics services at select locations.
This substantial investment signals Hapag-Lloyd’s dedication to future-proofing its fleet while actively contributing to the decarbonization of the maritime industry. Through these strategic moves, Hapag-Lloyd is not only enhancing its competitive edge but also solidifying its role as a leader in sustainable global shipping.
Source Hapag-Lloyd