Swiss producer Proman is working on a fuel-supply deal for HMM’s fleet of new methanol-fuelled container ships.
The company will explore future bunker options for what are said to be the world’s first such neo-panamax container ships.
The nine 9,000-teu dual-fuel vessels were ordered earlier this month by the South Korean owner.
HMM has signed a memorandum of understanding with Proman and a number of other producers and fuel suppliers, including PTTEP, European Energy and Hyundai Corporation, to secure methanol.
The owner will now conduct a feasibility study with each partner with the aim of collaborating to produce green methanol.
Peter Schild, Proman’s managing director for sustainability, said partnerships are vital if progress is to be made in lowering decarbonisation.
"We look forward to exploring possibilities for both newbuildings and retrofits, enabling HMM as a leading shipping company to experience the immediate environmental benefits and greenhouse gas emission reductions delivered by methanol,” he added.
HMM chief executive Kim Kyung-bae said: “We will continue to drive efforts to support the global community’s broader transition to carbon neutrality while at the same time strengthening our fundamental level of future capability in the face of increasingly fierce competition in the global market.”
Proman said that as low-carbon and renewable methanol production increases over the near term, greater volumes can be blended into the marine fuel pool to drive down carbon intensity.
TradeWinds reported that Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries and HJ Shipbuilding & Construction had won the HMM business.
Ships costing more than $1bn
Hyundai Samho will produce seven vessels, while HJ Shipbuilding will build two.
HMM said the order was part of its carbon-neutral push.
The total value of the contracts is KRW 1.41trn ($1.112bn), or about $123.5m per ship.
The liner giant is scheduled to take delivery from 2025 onwards.
