Maersk unveils third large methanol dual-fuel boxship

Shipping giant A.P. Moller – Maersk (Maersk) unveiled its third large dual-fuel vessel in its fleet, capable of sailing on green methanol.

The name Antonia Maersk was unveiled at a ceremony held in Aarhus, Denmark.

Antonia Maersk was christened by its godmother Kirsten Andersen, spouse of Vestas CEO Henrik Andersen.

The ship is named after Antonia Uggla, granddaughter of Ane Maersk Mc-Kinney Uggla, the chair of A.P. Møller Fonden and its investment company A.P. Moller Holding, the majority owner of A.P. Moller – Maersk.

Antonia Maersk is one of 18 large methanol-enabled newbuilds scheduled for delivery between 2024 and 2025.

Maersk unveils third large methanol dual-fuel boxship in Denmark

On 7 August, Maersk announced that it was in the process of signing newbuilding orders and time-charter contracts for dual-fuel vessels matching the planned renewal pace of around 160,000 TEU per year.

Approximately 300,000 TEU will be owned capacity while the remaining 500,000 TEU is planned through time-charter agreements.

To ensure the long-term competitiveness of the fleet and its ability to deliver on the decarbonisation goals, Maersk has elected a mix of methanol and liquified gas dual-fuel propulsion systems.

The exact split of propulsion technologies will be determined considering the future regulatory framework and green fuels supply.

Maersk added it has commenced the work of securing offtake agreements for liquified bio-methane (bio-LNG) to ensure that the new dual-fuel gas vessels provide greenhouse gas emissions reductions in this decade.