Maersk Names Latest Vessel of Its Dual-Fuel Methanol Fleet “Alexandra Mærsk” in Felixstowe
A.P. Moller - Maersk celebrated the christening of its newest dual-fuel methanol container ship, "Alexandra Maersk," at the Port of Felixstowe, UK. The event was attended by UK Maritime Minister Mike Kane, representatives from the International Maritime Organization (IMO), Maersk employees, and customers. Elaine Condon, Director of People & Culture at Primark, served as the ship’s godmother, highlighting the strong logistics and sustainability partnership between Maersk and Primark.
"Alexandra Maersk" is the sixth vessel in Maersk’s fleet equipped to run on methanol for both its main and auxiliary engines. It is the fifth in a series of 18 large dual-fuel methanol vessels set for delivery in 2024 and 2025, each with the capacity to transport over 16,000 standard containers (TEU).
"It’s a privilege to join the naming ceremony for the ‘Alexandra Maersk’ – one of the first container vessels to run on green methanol. 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".
- Mike Kane, UK’s Maritime Minister
"We are committed to reducing the impact we have on the environment across our entire operation, including our supply chain. Through our partnership with Maersk we have started to introduce green fuel alternatives, such as Biofuel, when shipping our products. By using Maersk’s ECO Delivery Ocean product and replacing fossil fuels with green fuel alternatives on Maersk’s cargo ships, we are reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in our ocean shipping. This is a really important step for us at Primark as it supports our ambition to halve our carbon emissions across our value chain by 2030".
- Paul Marchant, CEO of Primark
Maersk's ECO Delivery Ocean utilizes low-emission fuels, such as bio-diesel, across its fleet to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. With the introduction of new vessels like the "Alexandra Maersk," the company is now also incorporating green methanol as a sustainable fuel option.
"It’s great to see customers like Primark taking action and partner with us to decarbonise ocean transport. True progress in the green transformation requires collective effort. To accelerate the transformation, we need the International Maritime Organization help closing the price gap between green and fossil fuels to make the green choice the best choice for all. Last weeks IMO meeting on that matter was a step in the right direction, but much work remains in the coming months. We remain hopeful and continue to do all in our power to progress the green transition of shipping".
- Vincent Clerc, CEO of A.P. Moller - Maersk
Maersk's new methanol-powered ships are central to its ambitious decarbonization strategy. Low-emission methanol has the potential to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 65% to 90%, depending on the feedstock and production process, compared to traditional fossil fuels like bunker oil (based on a life cycle assessment).
In line with Maersk's tradition of naming vessels after founding family members, "Alexandra Maersk" is named after Alexandra Mærsk-Møller (1868-1953), the older sister of A.P. Møller, the company's founder.
Maersk aims to achieve net-zero emissions across its entire business by 2040. This pathway, validated by the Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi), relies heavily on reduced GHG emission fuels. Methanol made from biogenic feedstock can cut emissions by around 65-70%, while e-methanol, produced synthetically, aims to achieve up to 90% GHG reductions on a life cycle basis.