AP Moller Maersk continues to build out the green methanol bunkering infrastructure needed for its new generation of dual-fuel container ships under construction.
The Danish giant has teamed up with the City of Yokohama and Mitsubishi Gas Chemical (MGC) under a Memorandum of Understanding signed earlier this week.
The tie-up comes as Maersk begins taking delivery of a series of 16,000-teu green methanol-powered container vessels being built at Hyundai Heavy Industries.
Maersk said the collaboration will focus on examining operational feasibility and developing port facilities required for green methanol bunkering at the Port of Yokohama.
The City of Yokohama oversees the Port of Yokohama, which includes the Minami-Honmoku container terminal operated by APM Terminals Japan.
The port stands as Japan’s deepest water berth, boasting a total length of 1,600 meters and a draft of 18 meters.
As part of its commitment to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050, Yokohama is at the forefront of developing Japan’s green shipping corridors.
Earlier this month Yokohama was one of six Japanese ports that teamed up with Singapore to expand the growing network of green and digital shipping corridors (GDSC).
“As shipping companies increasingly prioritise decarbonisation efforts, the availability of green fuel bunkering options and the feasibility to carry out the operation in Japan becomes paramount,” said Maersk Northeast Asia managing director Toru Nishiyama.
“We are delighted to join forces with the City of Yokohama, renowned for its leadership in establishing green shipping corridors in Japan, and Mitsubishi Gas Chemical, a pioneer in domestic methanol production.”
Masashi Fujii, president of Mitsubishi Gas Chemical, said the establishment of methanol as a ship fuel supply base in Japan is an important initiative that will contribute to international maritime transport and carbon neutrality of Japan.
The company describes itself as a “trailblazer in methanol production in Japan since 1952”, establishing itself as the largest supplier with a contribution of over 50% of the country's methanol supply.
Maersk has set a net zero greenhouse gas emissions target for 2040 across the entire business. The owner has 24 boxships on order in total.
Of these, 12 are 16,000 teu, six are 17,000 teu and six are 9,000 teu. Its first 16,000-teu newbuilding will enter the AE7 service between Asia and Europe on 9 February.
Maersk says it has sourced enough green methanol for its debut voyage to ports such as Shanghai, Malaysia’s Tanjung Pelepas, Colombo in Sri Lanka and Hamburg.
