Maersk names dual-fuel methanol vessel “Adrian Mærsk” in Rotterdam
COPENHAGEN : A.P. Moller – Maersk has celebrated the naming of its dual-fuel methanol ship, the “Adrian Mærsk,” at its APM Terminals Maasvlakte II in Rotterdam. Stephanie Pullings Hart, Executive Vice President and Chief Operations Officer (COO) at Nestlé, served as the godmother of the container vessel, underscoring the strong partnership between the two companies in driving sustainable shipping.
Pioneering Decarbonization in Ocean Transport
Nestlé, a key Maersk customer, currently ships 100% of its Maersk ocean cargo under the ECO Delivery Ocean product, which utilizes alternative fuels to significantly reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. These alternative fuels reduce Nestlé’s cargo GHG emissions by more than 80% compared to conventional fossil ship fuels, representing a substantial financial commitment from Nestlé, which has been using ECO Delivery Ocean since 2023.
Karsten Kildahl, Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) at Maersk, emphasized the critical role of these dual-fuel vessels: “The dual-fuel vessels demonstrate that the technology for the energy transition of the shipping industry is here. What is crucial now are the decisions that the International Maritime Organization (IMO) member states will make in London next month. We urgently need regulation to support the uptake of fuels that significantly reduce GHG emissions. At the same time, we need ambitious customers like Nestlé as our close partners in the green transition of shipping and logistics which we couldn’t achieve without their support.”
Stephanie Pullings Hart, speaking as the vessel’s godmother, reiterated Nestlé’s commitment to sustainability: “At Nestlé, we recognize climate change as one of the most pressing challenges of our time. As a global leader in the food and beverage industry, we are committed to taking bold actions to address this issue. By achieving a 20% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2024, ahead of our 2025 target, and aiming for net zero by 2050, we demonstrate our dedication to sustainability. Our green logistics efforts, including partnerships with Maersk, showcase our commitment to reducing emissions and promoting a sustainable future.”
“Adrian Mærsk” to Enhance Asia-Mediterranean Trade Lane
The “Adrian Mærsk” has a capacity of over 16,000 TEUs (Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units) and will serve the Asia-Mediterranean trade lane following its maiden voyage from Rotterdam. As part of Maersk’s new East-West network, the vessel will contribute to Maersk’s ambition of achieving schedule reliability above 90% once the new network is fully phased in. Maersk’s hub terminals, such as APM Terminals Maasvlakte II in Rotterdam, play a vital role in achieving this goal.
Dual-fuel vessels are central to Maersk’s ambitious decarbonization plans. Bio- and e-methanol can reduce GHG emissions by 65% to 90% compared to conventional fossil fuels, depending on the feedstock and production process. Maersk also plans to deploy dual-fuel liquefied methane vessels, aiming to utilize bio- or e-methane as soon as feasible. The company recognizes that a mix of several alternative low-emission fuel technologies will be necessary to fully decarbonize the shipping industry given the global fuel demand.
