Cargill , a leading agribusiness company, is ushering in a new era in sustainable shipping , putting innovation and collaboration at the heart of its mission to responsibly move goods around the world.

Through wind-assisted propulsion technologies, dual-fuel methanol-powered vessels and digital solutions, Cargill is setting the standard to help the industry advance toward the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) goal of net-zero emissions by 2050. By combining technical expertise with a commitment to building industry-wide partnerships , Cargill is helping to future-proof the maritime sector while enabling customers to meet their sustainability goals.

“Our role extends beyond freight services; we aim to catalyze an industry-wide shift toward sustainable practices. Through strategic investments in cutting-edge technology and strong partnerships, we are accelerating the path to net-zero emissions in ocean transportation,” said Jan Dieleman, president of Cargill’s Ocean Transportation business.

Pioneering wind-assisted propulsion, Pyxis Ocean , the first dry bulk vessel equipped with BAR Technologies’ WindWings , completed its maiden voyage in 2023. WindWings are large, rigid sails that harness wind energy to reduce fuel use and emissions.

In addition to WindWings, Cargill has expanded its wind-assisted technology program to include VentoFoil vertical suction sails on the NBA Magritte and rotor sails on the TR Lady. With these three vessels, the company is experimenting and learning before scaling up technical, operational and commercial aspects. These technologies further leverage wind power to reduce fuel dependency and emissions, in line with the IMO’s goal of 5-10% of maritime energy coming from renewable sources by 2030.

Cargill believes wind power could make an important contribution to achieving short-, medium- and long-term decarbonisation goals. Dieleman said that while the cost of fuels that could contribute to a zero-carbon future may remain high , developing, testing and improving wind-assisted propulsion technologies before these fuels are available could reduce reliance on them.

Fuel transformation

Along with wind propulsion, Cargill is transforming fuel use across its fleet. The company is pioneering biofuels made from renewable sources , such as fatty acid methyl esters (FAME), which provide a drop-in fuel option to reduce emissions without major engine modifications. In 2023, the company has transitioned from testing these fuels to running them frequently as it prepares to scale them up.

In 2023, nearly 172,000 metric tons of biofuel blendstocks containing 63,000 metric tons of FAME were extracted. Cargill is also the first dry bulk charterer to sign commercial agreements for dual-fuel methanol-powered vessels, which are expected to be operating within the next two years. Methanol, a low-carbon alternative fuel, offers a scalable path to zero emissions. These methanol-powered vessels, the first of their kind in commercial service, highlight Cargill’s proactive approach to adopting sustainable fuel solutions to support its and its customers’ ambitious Scope 3 emissions reduction goals.

Leveraging digital solutions for efficiency and sustainability

Digital innovation is also central to Cargill’s decarbonization efforts. The company is using advanced digital tools, including voyage optimization technologies to create digital twins of its vessels. This enables optimal speed and route planning to reduce fuel consumption and emissions. By partnering with ZeroNorth, Cargill is leveraging these digital solutions to improve operational efficiency and sustainability, reinforcing its commitment to data-driven progress toward net zero.

Building a sustainable future through collaboration

Recognizing that decarbonizing the maritime industry requires a collaborative approach, Cargill partners across the sector to drive meaningful progress. As a founding member of the Maersk Mc-Kinney Moller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping, Cargill works with industry leaders to test and advance alternative fuels, including ammonia and methanol. Cargill is also a key player in the Sea Cargo Charter, a coalition dedicated to reducing the climate impact of shipping through transparency and shared decarbonization frameworks.

“As we continue this journey, we are focused on solutions that not only improve our own operations, but drive change across the industry. Our vision is a shipping sector that delivers the goods the world needs while protecting the future of our planet. We are proud to be part of this transformation and are committed to building a more sustainable future for global shipping,” Dieleman added.

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Danish shipping company Maersk said the Halifax, the industry’s first large container ship, has been converted into a dual-fuel vessel capable of operating on methanol.

The refit operation was carried out at the Zhoushan Xinya shipyard in China for 88 days and was completed at the end of October 2024.

“We are pleased to announce that the Halifax has been successfully refitted to become a dual-fuel vessel using methanol. Following the completion of sea trials, this containership is back in operation and is now serving our customers on the transpacific route,” said Leonardo Sonzio, Director of Fleet Management and Technology at Maersk.

The engine conversion was carried out by MAN Energy Solutions . In addition to replacing engine parts to enable the engine to run on methanol, the modernisation operation at the shipyard has included the addition of new fuel tanks, a fuel preparation room and a fuel supply system. The hull has also been extended to accommodate the fuel tanks. With this change, the ship’s length has been extended by 15 metres to 368 metres, increasing the capacity from around 15,000 to 15,690 TEU (20-foot containers).

“Since we set ourselves the ambitious climate goal of reaching net zero emissions by 2040, we have explored the potential of retrofitting existing vessels with dual-fuel engines. Next year, we will learn from this first conversion of a large vessel. Retrofitting existing vessels can be an important alternative to newbuilds in our transition from fossil fuels to low-emission fuels,” explained Leonardo Sonzio.

Maersk’s Halifax, one of the company’s 11 Hong Kong-class vessels , left the shipyard’s anchorage on November 4, 2024.

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