A momentous occasion unfolded in Copenhagen as Maersk christened the Laura Maersk, the first in a series of methanol-powered container ships. Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, graced the event with her presence, signifying the significance of this moment in decarbonization.
Robert Uggla, Maersk’s Chairman, emphasized the ship’s outsized impact despite its modest size. The 2,100 TEU Laura Maersk, constructed at Hyundai Mipo Dockyard, will serve Baltic trade routes. Its name pays homage to the Laura steamship, the pioneer vessel bearing Maersk’s iconic seven-pointed star emblem.
Uggla critiqued liquefied natural gas (LNG) as an alternative fuel, highlighting its environmental drawbacks, asserting that “This very ship has become the catalyst for change.”
Von der Leyen, the ship’s godmother, praised Maersk’s foresight and its global implications.
Greg Dolan, CEO of the Methanol Institute, lauded the shipping industry’s adoption of methanol as a sustainable fuel, crucial for the energy transition.
Maersk announced C2X, a company backed by A.P. Moller Holding, aimed at scaling green methanol production. This aligns with Maersk’s projection that annual methanol demand could triple by 2050.
OCI Global, a methanol provider, revealed plans to double its green methanol capacity in the US, reflecting the growth in methanol adoption as a shipping fuel.
In conclusion, the christening of the Laura Maersk marks a significant stride in sustainable shipping, reflecting Maersk’s commitment to methanol as a clean fuel. With regulations tightening, the industry must embrace eco-friendly solutions to navigate the future.
Fuente: Splash 247
