Fourth mid-sized methanol vessel joins Maersk fleet

Global shipping company A.P. Moller-Maersk has taken delivery of the fourth vessel in its new methanol-capable newbuild series.

Tacoma Maersk is the fourth vessel in Maersk’s planned fleet of six 9,000-TEU mid-sized containerships. The vessel can operate on methanol as well as conventional fuels and will be deployed on the trade route connecting the Middle East and India with the US East Coast.

Maersk took delivery of the first three vessels in this series earlier this year, and the final two are scheduled for delivery towards next year. Its methanol-capable fleet now comprises 12 vessels of 16,000 TEU, six vessels of 17,480 TEU, four 9,000-TEU vessels and one 15,690-TEU containership retrofitted to operate on methanol.

The company has also trialled 100% ethanol on its 2,100-TEU methanol-capable feeder Laura Maersk.