On September 14, 2023, the world’s first methanol-powered container ship, “Laura Maersk”, was named in a grand ceremony in Copenhagen, Denmark. The current President of the European Commission, Ms. Ursula von der Leyen, personally named this innovative green vessel, witnessing an important step for the shipping industry towards a low-carbon future.
“Laura Maersk” is the first of 25 methanol-powered container ships ordered by Maersk Line, the world’s largest container shipping company, and also the world’s first container ship to use carbon-neutral e-methanol or sustainable bio-methanol as fuel. The 172-meter-long vessel, which can carry 2,100 standard containers, will sail from South Korea to Denmark and then start operating in the Nordic and Baltic regions.
Maersk Line is the world’s largest container shipping company and one of the first shipping companies in the world to commit to achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions. Maersk has an ambitious goal of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040 and plans to use green fuel vessels to transport at least 25% of its cargo by 2030. Maersk has also ordered 24 more methanol ships, which are scheduled to be delivered between 2024 and 2027.
Mr. Soren Skou, CEO of Maersk, said at the naming ceremony: “‘Laura Maersk’ is a historic milestone for the global shipping industry. This new green vessel brings the breakthrough that the industry needs, but to achieve net-zero emissions, we still have a long way to go. We need to work closely with governments, customers, suppliers and other stakeholders to promote the development and availability of green fuels.”
The commissioning of “Laura Maersk” and Maersk’s ambitious sustainable development goals consolidate Denmark’s global leadership position in the maritime environmental transition stage. Maersk’s vision is fully aligned with Denmark’s values of sustainability and innovation. Denmark has a global leading edge in clean energy technology, maritime engineering, design and innovation, attracting many foreign companies to invest or set up research and development centers.
The Danish Investment Promotion Agency is a Danish government department responsible for promoting foreign investment. It provides customized and one-stop services for foreign enterprises that intend to invest in Denmark or expand their existing investments in Denmark. The Danish Investment Promotion Agency has branches and offices in Europe, North America and Asia. Ms. Anna Winther, General Manager of the Danish Investment Promotion Agency, said: “We are very pleased to see a company with international influence and social responsibility like Maersk choose methanol as a green fuel and set an example for the low-carbon transition of the shipping industry. We welcome more foreign companies to join our maritime cluster and work together to set new standards for the global maritime industry.”
