A.P. Moller – Maersk (Maersk) celebrated the arrival of its newest dual-fuel methanol container vessel, A.P. Møller, today in Singapore. This vessel marks an important milestone in the company’s journey toward decarbonizing the maritime industry, as it embarks on its maiden voyage from Asia to Europe. Named in honor of Arnold Peter Møller, the founder of A.P. Moller – Maersk, A.P. Møller is the ninth vessel in Maersk’s fleet designed to operate on methanol, a cleaner fuel option in the shipping industry.
The naming ceremony, which took place in Singapore, was attended by several prominent figures. Ms. Chan Su-Shan, the wife of the CEO of Temasek Holdings in Singapore, served as the godmother of the vessel. Robert Uggla, Chair of the Board of Directors at A.P. Moller – Maersk, hosted the event, which also saw the presence of key dignitaries including Mr. Murali Pillai, Minister of State at the Ministry of Law and Ministry of Transport, Mr. Dilhan Pillay Sandrasegara, CEO of Temasek, Mr. Ong Kim Pong, Group Chief Executive of PSA, and Mr. Teo Eng Dih, Chief Executive of the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA). Additionally, representatives from Singapore’s government, Maersk’s customers, and employees attended the ceremony.
“This event marks a significant milestone in our efforts to decarbonize the maritime industry. The arrival of A.P. Møller in Singapore not only demonstrates advancements in shipping technology but also reinforces our commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions,” said Mr. Murali Pillai, Minister of State, Ministry of Law and Ministry of Transport. “We are glad to collaborate with Maersk and look forward to furthering our efforts to position Singapore as a leading hub for alternative maritime fuels.”
The A.P. Møller is part of a fleet of 18 large dual-fuel methanol vessels that Maersk is introducing, with deliveries scheduled through 2025. Built at Hyundai Heavy Industries in Ulsan, South Korea, the vessel can carry 16,592 standard containers (TEU). Seven of these dual-fuel methanol ships have already joined the Maersk fleet in 2024, further supporting the company’s push toward more sustainable shipping practices.
“This vessel’s launch in Singapore, the heart of Maersk Southeast Asia and Asia Pacific operations, underscores our commitment to decarbonization in the region,” said Ditlev Blicher, President of Asia Pacific at Maersk. “The transition to sustainable energy in our industry is a collaborative effort, and we are working with authorities across the region, including Singapore, to advance decarbonization initiatives. This effort is further strengthened by the increasing number of customers choosing our ECO Delivery solutions. We now urge the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to adopt regulations that close the price gap between fossil fuels and alternative fuels, ensuring that reduced-emission transport becomes a viable and competitive choice.”
Maersk’s dual-fuel methanol fleet is a key part of the company’s decarbonization strategy, which aims to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2040. Methanol, especially when derived from low-emission sources, can reduce GHG emissions by at least 65% compared to conventional fossil fuels such as bunker oil, depending on the feedstock and production process used.
In July 2023, Singapore marked another key milestone with the first-ever ship-to-containership methanol bunkering. The inaugural event, conducted for the Laura Maersk, also represented the first ship-to-ship methanol bunkering operation in the country. This event highlighted Singapore’s ambition to become a key offtake location for alternative maritime fuels, including methanol. The partnership between Maersk and Singapore’s Maritime and Port Authority (MPA) underscores the country’s role as a leader in supporting the transition to new fuels at scale.
As part of its ongoing commitment to decarbonization, Maersk has called on the IMO to implement more stringent and ambitious regulations that would help level the playing field between fossil fuels and cleaner fuel alternatives, ensuring the viability of low-emission shipping options.
With A.P. Møller now part of Maersk’s fleet, the company is not only advancing shipping technology but also reinforcing its commitment to a sustainable future for the maritime industry.
About Maersk
A.P. Moller – Maersk is a leading integrated logistics company focused on connecting and simplifying its customers’ supply chains. With a global presence in over 130 countries and a workforce of around 100,000, Maersk is pioneering the logistics industry’s transition toward net-zero emissions, with a target of achieving this goal by 2040 across its entire operations. Maersk’s ECO Delivery solutions underscore the company’s commitment to innovation and environmental sustainability.
Source Maersk