Egypt Welcomes Methanol Shipment for the World’s First Green Methanol-Powered Container Ship

The groundbreaking achievement in maritime sustainability has been realized as the world's pioneering containership fueled by green methanol, owned by the Danish shipping behemoth A.P. Moller Maersk, successfully underwent its first green methanol bunkering operation in Egypt. This momentous event transpired within the confines of the East Port Said port, where the General Authority for the Suez Canal Economic Zone orchestrated the inaugural green bunkering operation involving methanol for a containership on the 17th of August. The vessel's presence in Egyptian waters marked a significant juncture in its maiden voyage, which commenced in Ulsan, South Korea, and culminated in Copenhagen, Denmark.

The logistical intricacies of this groundbreaking operation revolved around the barge Lara S, a vessel affiliated with OCI Global, a prominent global service provider. Leveraging the capabilities of its OCI HyFuels division, the barge was instrumental in delivering approximately 500 tons of green methanol to the vessel. The meticulous supply process spanned almost six hours, ensuring that the ship, boasting a carrying capacity of 2,100 TEUs, was amply furnished with the green fuel. The Suez Canal Container Terminal, a pivotal component of SCZONE's East Port Said port in Egypt, played host to this fueling endeavor.

The innovative ship, measuring a substantial 172 meters in length, harnesses the power of MAN Energy Solutions' versatile G50 or G95 dual-fuel engine. This cutting-edge engine is uniquely engineered to accommodate both green methanol and conventional fuel, thereby epitomizing the ship's eco-conscious propulsion philosophy. This momentous undertaking marked Egypt's premiere foray into such an operation within its region, a milestone that extends across Africa and the Middle East. The endeavor resonates with Egypt's strategic ambition to reassert its prominence in the domain of ships' bunkering services, irrespective of whether fossil or green fuels are involved, as articulated by the authority overseeing the initiative.

The voyage of this innovative vessel, however, commenced far from Egypt's shores. The Port of Ulsan in South Korea set the stage for the ship's initial refueling on July 16. The vessel embarked on its voyage, making a notable stop in Singapore on July 27. During this layover, the ship once again interacted with green methanol, this time via the medium of Hong Lam Marine's tanker MT Agility, a clear affirmation of the global trajectory towards sustainable shipping practices.

As a stalwart proponent of sustainable maritime practices, Maersk has manifested its commitment to environmental stewardship through its fleet enhancement strategy. The company's forward-looking vision is underscored by the fact that it has a comprehensive order for 25 dual-fuel vessels. This assortment spans across a wide range of container capacities, varying from 2,000 TEUs to an impressive 16,000 TEUs. Maersk envisions the entire fleet of vessels propelled by green fuel to be fully operational and integrated into its operations by 2027.

The heart of Maersk's aspiration resides in its pursuit of aligning with the global endeavor to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by the year 2040. A pivotal benchmark along this trajectory is its commitment to transporting no less than 25% of ocean cargo using green fuels by 2030. This commitment is framed against a baseline established in 2020, reflecting the company's dedication to accelerating the transition towards sustainable maritime transport practices.