World’s First Containership Methanol Dual-Fuel Retrofit Project Begins

Last October, Maersk and a Chinese shipbuilder signed the world’s first methanol dual-fuel conversion project. German engine manufacturer MAN Energy Solutions (MAN ES) was contracted to retrofit the engine.

Later, Zhoushan Xinya Shipyard began the upgrade process with a steel-cutting ceremony for Maersk Halifax. The containership is expected to arrive in early July and will undergo conversion and repair for about three months.

Maersk plans to expand the retrofit project to several sister vessels during special surveys in 2027. This project aligns with the shipowner’s goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2040, marking the latest milestone in Maersk’s strategy to adopt methanol as part of its decarbonization efforts.

In September 2023, Maersk launched its first methanol-powered containership, Laura Maersk. Additionally, in early October 2023, South Korea’s Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) launched the first of twelve 16,200 TEU methanol-powered container ships for Maersk.

Maersk has ordered a total of 25 methanol-powered container carriers from shipbuilders Hyundai Heavy Industries, Hyundai Mipo Dockyard, and Yangzijiang Shipbuilding Group. This includes six vessels with a capacity of 17,000 TEU, twelve 16,000 TEU boxships, and one feeder ship ordered in 2021. Additionally, six mid-sized container vessels are under construction at Yangzijiang Shipbuilding Group in China.

Maersk aims to have its entire fleet of methanol-powered vessels operational by 2027.