On Wednesday, A.P. Moller – Maersk christened its latest dual-fuel methanol container vessel, “Alexandra Maersk,” at a ceremony held at the Port of Felixstowe in the United Kingdom.
The event was attended by UK Maritime Minister Mike Kane, International Maritime Organization (IMO) representatives, customers, and Maersk employees.
Elaine Condon, Director of People & Culture at Primark, served as the vessel’s godmother, underscoring the strong sustainability and logistics partnership between Maersk and Primark.
“Alexandra Maersk” is the sixth methanol-capable vessel in Maersk’s owned fleet, and the fifth in a series of 18 large dual-fuel methanol ships set to be delivered in 2024 and 2025. Each of these ships has a capacity of over 16,000 TEUs and is equipped with main and auxiliary engines capable of operating on methanol.
During the ceremony, UK Maritime Minister Mike Kane emphasised the importance of such innovations for a sustainable future, stating, “This is exactly the kind of innovation we need to deliver a greener, cleaner maritime sector which is better for people and for our planet. Delivering greener transport is one of our top priorities, and we will do so by reducing harmful greenhouse gas emissions and investing in alternative fuels and technologies.”
Maersk’s ECO Delivery Ocean program, which supports the company’s commitment to decarbonization, uses low-emission fuels like biodiesel across its fleet and now includes green methanol in its newest vessels, including the “Alexandra Maersk.”
Vincent Clerc, CEO of A.P. Moller – Maersk, praised customers like Primark for their commitment to reducing emissions in ocean transport.
He added, “True progress in the green transformation requires collective effort. To accelerate this change, we need the International Maritime Organization’s support to help bridge the price gap between green and fossil fuels, making green the preferred choice for everyone. Last week’s IMO meeting on this topic was a positive step forward, but more work remains.”
These new methanol-powered vessels are central to Maersk’s decarbonization strategy, as methanol fuel can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 65% to 90% compared to conventional bunker oil, depending on the feedstock and production process used.
Following tradition, “Alexandra Maersk” is named in honour of Alexandra Mærsk-Møller (1868-1953), the elder sister of A.P. Møller, the founder of Maersk.
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