Alexandra Maersk Named as Maersk’s Fifth Large Methanol Containership

A.P. Moller – Maersk celebrated the naming of its latest dual-fuel methanol container vessel, Alexandra Maersk, today at the Port of Felixstowe, England. This 16,000 TEU vessel is the fifth in a series of innovative ships, reinforcing the company’s commitment to sustainable shipping.

Mike Kane, the UK’s Maritime Minister, highlighted the significance of this vessel during the ceremony, stating, “It’s a privilege to join the naming ceremony for the Alexandra Maersk – one of the first container vessels to run on green methanol. This innovation is crucial for delivering a greener, cleaner maritime sector, benefiting both people and our planet.”

Alexandra Maersk follows her sister ships, with Ane Maersk being the first named in January in Korea. Astrid Maersk followed in April, and in August, both Antonia Maersk and Alette Maersk were named. Staying true to tradition, Alexandra Maersk is named after Alexandra Mærsk-Møller, sister of A.P. Møller, the company’s founder.

These new methanol-powered vessels are central to Maersk’s ambitious decarbonization plans, as low-emission methanol can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 65 to 90 percent compared to traditional fossil fuels. However, the company faces challenges in securing a reliable methanol supply for its expanding fleet.

The Alexandra Maersk is part of an initial order of 12 methanol vessels, each with a capacity of 16,000 TEU, built by HD Hyundai in South Korea. This order has been expanded to include six additional 17,000 TEU vessels, alongside six smaller 9,000 TEU dual-fuel methanol vessels.

Maersk is also actively contributing to the development of methanol bunkering. Last month, Alette Maersk participated in Japan’s first methanol bunkering simulation at the Port of Yokohama, collaborating with Kokuka Sangyo’s methanol tanker, Eikamaru, to test key operational procedures.

While Maersk continues to prioritize methanol-fueled vessels, they acknowledge the need for a diverse fuel strategy amid challenges in the methanol supply chain. The company is also working on securing offtake agreements for liquified bio-methane (bio-LNG) to ensure that its dual-fuel gas vessels achieve greenhouse gas emissions reductions in this decade.