Maersk signs MOU with SIGP for green methanol bunkering

A.P. Moller-Maersk (Maersk) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Shanghai International Port Group (SIPG) on strategic cooperation for Shanghai port’s methanol marine fuel project.

The two parties will collaborate to explore green methanol fuel vessel-to-vessel bunkering operations after Maersk’s green methanol container vessels arrive in 2024.

Maersk and SIPG will deepen cooperation in stages, according to the shipping company.

In the first phase, SIPG, as Maersk’s potential energy bunkering service provider, will carry out services of vessel-to-vessel bunkering and fuel tank storage at the port.

In the potential second stage, the parties will explore how to form an all-round energy strategic partnership to promote the extension from bunkering services to the upstream of the green methanol industry chain.

Maersk has set a net-zero emissions target for 2040 across the entire business, and the delivery and operation of its 19 vessels – with dual-fuel engines that are able to operate on green methanol – is expected to accelerate the evolution of climate neutral shipping.

Maersk reported that establishing port bunkering infrastructure for methanol is thus imperative to achieve this goal.

The agreement will also support the aspiration of Shanghai port to become one of the world’s first commercial green methanol refuelling points, according to the Danish giant.