A.P. Moller-Maersk (Maersk), a leading Danish shipping company, and Shanghai International Port Group (SIPG) have established a strategic alliance for a marine methanol fuel project at Shanghai Port. With the arrival of Maersk’s green methanol containerships in 2024, the two titans of the industry will work together to create vessel-to-vessel green methanol bunkering operations.

The program supports Maersk’s ambitious goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2040 and the impending deployment of 19 dual-fuel ships with green methanol capability. In order to accomplish these objectives, according to Maersk, port bunkering infrastructure for methanol must be established.

The CEO of A.P. Moller-Maersk, Vincent Clerc, emphasized the value of international cooperation in developing green fuel bunkering infrastructure for maintaining methanol boats. He declared, “We are delighted to join the relationship with SIPG, using its strong skills in bunkering service and port operation. By working together, we can offer low-carbon logistics services to our clients, helping China meet its goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2060.

This partnership also supports SIPG’s goal of becoming a pioneer in creating environmentally friendly ports. The deal will help Shanghai Port’s goal to become one of the first commercial green methanol refueling sites and a regional green methanol fuel bunkering center as the primary operator of the busiest container port in the world.

The establishment of the green fuel bunkering service, according to Gu Jinshan, Chairman of Shanghai International Port Group, would be another significant development for SIPG. In order to promote the Shanghai shipping hub gateway and the green, low-carbon transformation of the shipping sector in Shanghai, he added, “SIPG will continue to engage with shipping businesses.”

The agreement will develop over time; the first stage will see SIPG serve as Maersk’s potential energy service provider, handling vessel-to-vessel bunkering and fuel tank storage in ports. In the prospective second stage, the parties will look into establishing an all-encompassing energy strategic partnership to support the upstream expansion of the green methanol industrial chain from bunkering services.

Last week, Maersk announced the concept for its first environmentally friendly methanol-powered containership, a 2,100 TEU feeder ship scheduled for delivery from Hyundai Mipo Shipyard this year. Moreover, Maersk placed orders for 18 larger containerships (16,000–17,000 TEUs) with Hyundai Heavy Industries in South Korea, with deliveries scheduled for 2024 and 2025. The company has been working hard to secure suppliers to supply the necessary green methanol fuel to power the fleet.