Maersk to convert ship to run on methanol

MAERSK is getting ready to retrofit an existing containership with a methanol dual-fuel engine. It claims the conversion will be a first for the shipping industry.

The conversion, slated for mid-2024, would enable the ship to sail on green methanol. Maersk intends to replicate the process on other ships in 2027.

Leonardo Sonzio, Maersk’s head of fleet management and technology, said Maersk ultimately wants to demonstrate that methanol retrofits can be a viable alternative to newbuilds.

“Retrofitting of engines to run on methanol is an important lever in our strategy,” he said.

“With this initiative, we wish to pave the way for future scalable retrofit programs in the industry and thereby accelerate the transition from fossil fuels to green fuels.”

Maersk has signed an agreement with MAN Energy Solutions for the engine retrofit.

“In 2021, we ordered the world’s first methanol-enabled container vessel following a commitment to the principle of only ordering newbuilt vessels that can sail on green fuels,” Mr Sonzio said.

“Concurrently, we have explored the potential in retrofitting existing vessels with dual-fuel methanol engines.

“Having teamed up with MAN ES, we are now ready to demonstrate how retrofitting vessels with methanol dual-fuel capabilities can be done.”

The project is scheduled to begin next year. Maersk said replacing engine parts and is “a rather complex task”, but only part of the larger retrofit operation.

It said new fuel tanks, the fuel preparation room and fuel supply system are also a part of the retrofitting the vessel for green methanol.

Ole Graa Jakobsen, Maersk’s head of fleet technology, will be responsible for the retrofit project.

“Detailed engineering for the first retrofit is ongoing and the actual implementation will take place in the middle of 2024,” he said.

“Meanwhile, discussions with potential yards are ongoing.”

Maersk aims to reach net-zero emissions in 2040 but has also set near-term targets for 2030 in alignment with Paris Agreement and Science Based Targets initiative methodology.