The Alette Maersk, the first methanol-powered container ship to cross the Pacific Ocean, has arrived at the Port of Los Angeles, California, marking a significant step forward in Danish shipping company A.P Moller – Maersk’s (Maersk) efforts to decarbonize shipping , according to a company press release.
In this sense, with a length of 350 meters and a capacity of 16 thousand 20-foot containers (TEU) , this ship represents the company’s commitment to reducing emissions, in line with its goal of achieving zero net greenhouse gas emissions by 2040.
In this regard, Maersk CEO Vincent Clerc stressed the importance of coordinated global action to address the challenges of decarbonisation in the shipping industry.
“Our new series of dual-fuel ships is just the beginning, but we need immediate and coordinated action across all industries to make green fuels viable,” Clerc said.
He also urged industry leaders and the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to adopt regulations that encourage sustainable transport without severely impacting trade costs.
Maersk recalled that the maritime sector is responsible for approximately 3% of global CO₂ emissions and that, despite improvements in energy efficiency, systemic change is required to meet its environmental goals.
The company also plans to have 25% of its cargo transported using low-emission fuels by 2030 , although it acknowledges that achieving this will depend on broader collaboration between governments and regulators.
Green methanol, hailed as a key alternative to decarbonize transport, faces significant challenges due to its cost, which is two to three times higher than fossil fuels, and its limited availability. Despite these barriers, Maersk reported that it has 20 additional vessels on order with the capacity to operate on this fuel.
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