A.P. Moller – Maersk celebrated the arrival of its newest dual-fuel methanol container vessel, “A.P. Møller”, in Singapore, marking the start of its maiden voyage from Asia to Europe.
Named in honour of Arnold Peter Møller, the founder of the Danish shipping company, the vessel is the ninth in the company’s fleet capable of operating on methanol.
The naming ceremony was attended by key figures, including Chan Su-Shan, the wife of CEO of Temasek Holdings, who served as the godmother of the ship. Robert Uggla, Chairman of the Board of Directors at A.P. Moller-Maersk, hosted the event, which also featured Murali Pillai, Singapore’s Minister of State for the Ministry of Law and Ministry of Transport, Dilhan Pillay Sandrasegara, CEO of Temasek, Ong Kim Pong, Group Chief Executive of PSA, and Teo Eng Dih, Chief Executive of the Maritime and Port Authority (MPA), along with Maersk representatives, customers, and government officials from Singapore.
“Today marks a significant milestone in our journey of decarbonising the maritime industry. The arrival of ‘A.P. Møller’ in Singapore not only showcases the advancements in shipping technology but also reinforces our commitment to support solutions that can reduce greenhouse gas emissions. We are glad to collaborate with Maersk and look forward to furthering our efforts to make Singapore a leading hub for new maritime fuels,” stated Murali Pillai, Minister of State, Ministry of Law and Ministry of Transport.
According to the statement, A.P. Møller is one of 18 large dual-fuel methanol vessels scheduled for delivery in 2024 and 2025. Built by Hyundai Heavy Industries in Ulsan, South Korea, the vessel can carry 16,592 TEUs. Seven of these dual-fuel vessels have already joined Maersk’s fleet in 2024.
Furthermore, in July 2023, Maersk conducted the inaugural ship-to-container ship methanol bunkering in Singapore, for Laura Maersk, marking a milestone in the country’s efforts to establish itself as a key hub for alternative maritime fuels like methanol.
This new vessel is part of Maersk’s broader commitment to decarbonization and achieving net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2040. Methanol, as a lower-emission fuel, can reduce GHG emissions by at least 65% compared to conventional fossil fuels such as bunker oil, depending on its production process.
With this technology in place, Maersk is advocating for the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to adopt stronger regulations that would help bridge the price gap between fossil fuels and more sustainable alternatives, making greener transport options both viable and competitive.
Ditlev Blicher, President of Asia Pacific at Maersk, commented, “Maersk is proud to introduce our newest dual-fuel methanol vessel in Singapore, home to Maersk Southeast Asia and Asia Pacific, and a key part of our Ocean network and integrated supply chain. This launch showcases our dedication to decarbonisation in the region. The energy transition of our industry is a joint effort, and we are collaborating with authorities across the region, including Singapore, to advance decarbonisation initiatives. This effort is further supported by an increasing number of customers choosing our ECO Delivery solutions. Now, we urge the International Maritime Organisation to adopt regulations that close the price gap between fossil and new fuels, encouraging even more customers to come on board.”
