The A.P. Moller Foundation has increased its total donation to the Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping to more than DKK 1 billion, reinforcing its commitment to climate adaptation in the global shipping industry.
A fresh DKK 300 million donation from the A.P. Moller Foundation is set to power the next phase of the Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping’s mission: decarbonizing the maritime sector. This newest grant, announced in early June, builds on two earlier contributions from 2020 and 2022, marking a significant show of long-term commitment to climate action in one of the world’s most challenging sectors.
The Center, headquartered in Copenhagen, has established itself as an independent, global collaboration platform. It works across industries and with policymakers to drive the maritime energy transition. With around 150 employees, including numerous embedded experts from partner organizations, the Center focuses on research, pilot projects, and regulatory frameworks—all aimed at breaking the sector’s dependence on fossil fuels.
Ane Mærsk Mc-Kinney Uggla, Chair of the A.P. Moller Foundation, said the climate challenge, especially in global shipping, requires bold and coordinated action.
“It is a Herculean task that MUST be solved, and it is more important than ever. The necessary transformation of the industry is possible when leadership is combined with collaboration, clear frameworks, and courage,” she said.
The donation comes at a time when the shipping industry faces increasing pressure to decarbonize, with regulatory targets tightening globally. The Center has played a key role in shaping discussions around new fuels such as green methanol and ammonia, energy efficiency technologies, and port infrastructure improvements.
Bo Cerup-Simonsen, CEO of the Center, emphasized that the new funding ensures the organization can stay focused on long-term transformation, free from the immediate pressures of market fluctuations or commercial interests.
“This generous donation allows us to strengthen our role as an independent driving force in the green transition of shipping,” he said. “The Foundation’s trust and support give us the freedom to maintain focus on the long-term climate agenda for the benefit of the wider community.”
He added that time is critical: “There is no time to waste. Our team and partners are fully committed to turning this donation into real progress and helping the industry bend the emissions curve in the coming years.”
Since its launch in 2020, the Center has expanded its partnerships with leading maritime companies, fuel providers, classification societies, and research institutions. These joint efforts have already produced feasibility studies, policy white papers, fuel readiness assessments, and support for real-world demonstrations of low- and zero-carbon vessels.
The Center’s work bridges commercial strategy and science, helping the maritime sector align with the International Maritime Organization’s targets to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions around 2050. At the same time, it helps shape practical steps—such as retrofitting existing fleets and planning supply chains for alternative fuels—that must happen this decade.
The additional funding is likely to support upcoming initiatives focused on scaling zero-carbon fuel production, developing global safety protocols, and accelerating adoption across developing maritime economies.
While the maritime sector has been historically difficult to decarbonize due to its reliance on heavy fuel oil and complex global operations, the work of the Center suggests that coordinated investment and transparent knowledge sharing can significantly improve progress.
The donation by the A.P. Moller Foundation not only highlights the scale of the challenge but also sends a clear signal: high-impact philanthropy has a role to play in driving climate adaptation at the core of global logistics.
