Maersk to retrofit existing vessel with dual-fuel methanol engine
Danish shipping major A.P. Moller – Maersk has revealed plans to retrofit one of its existing vessels with a dual-fuel engine that will enable it to sail on green methanol.
PHOTO: A model of A.P. Moller-Maersk’s dual-fuelled methanol feeder vessel. A.P. Moller-Maersk
The vessel will be converted and equipped with a dual-fuel engine from German engine maker MAN Energy Solutions, which can run on methanol or conventional marine fuels. The company expects to introduce the first retrofitted vessel next year, and possibly other sister vessels in 2027.
Retrofitting an existing vessel is more challenging and complex than building a new vessel with a dual-fuel methanol engine, Maersk says. Apart from replacing engine parts, the ship will need modifications to its existing fuel tanks, fuel preparation room and fuel supply systems.
Maersk, which has a massive fleet of more than 700 vessels, believes retrofitting existing vessels with low-emission capabilities can be a viable alternative to relying on newbuilds to meet its net-zero emissions target for 2040.
Maersk was the first shipping company to order methanol-capable container vessels, and has signed offtake agreements with 10 methanol producers to procure bio- and e-methanol for its fleet of 19 methanol-powered dual-fuel vessels on order.
However, Maersk’s approach to green methanol has drawn criticism after it revealed plans to fuel its methanol-capable 2,100 TEU feeder container ship with bio-methanol from OCI Global.
The methanol fuelling the vessel will actually be grey. It will be made from methane sourced through fossil-based natural gas, but it will be classified as a green fuel after “mass balancing”, whereby OCI Global will apply emission reduction certificates earned from other areas to lower the emissions counting of the vessel's maiden voyage.
By Debarati Bhattacharjee
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