Felixstowe – A.P. Moller – Maersk has named its newest dual-fuel methanol container vessel, the “Alexandra Mærsk,” in a ceremony held at the Port of Felixstowe on October 9, 2024. The event was attended by the UK’s Maritime Minister Mike Kane, representatives from the International Maritime Organization (IMO), customers, and Maersk employees. Elaine Condon, Director of People & Culture at Primark, served as the vessel’s godmother, reflecting the strong sustainability partnership between Maersk and Primark.
The “Alexandra Mærsk” is the sixth vessel in Maersk’s methanol-powered fleet, marking a major step forward in the company’s efforts to decarbonize its operations. The ship is one of 18 large dual-fuel methanol vessels slated for delivery between 2024 and 2025, each capable of carrying more than 16,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU). These vessels are designed to sail using both methanol and traditional fuels, representing a critical investment in reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in maritime transport.
During the ceremony, UK Maritime Minister Mike Kane expressed his optimism for the future of green shipping. He emphasized the importance of vessels like the “Alexandra Mærsk” in achieving a greener, cleaner maritime industry. “This is exactly the kind of innovation we need to deliver a greener, cleaner maritime sector,” Kane stated, stressing the UK’s commitment to lowering emissions and promoting alternative fuels.
Primark CEO Paul Marchant also highlighted the retailer’s dedication to sustainability. Through its partnership with Maersk, Primark has begun introducing biofuel alternatives in shipping to help reduce its carbon footprint. “This is a really important step for us at Primark as it supports our ambition to halve our carbon emissions across our value chain by 2030,” Marchant remarked, underscoring the significance of green fuel adoption in supply chain logistics.
Maersk’s CEO, Vincent Clerc, echoed these sentiments, pointing out the collective effort required to push forward the green transition in global shipping. Clerc called on organizations like the IMO to help bridge the gap between the costs of green and fossil fuels, urging further progress to make sustainable choices more financially viable for the industry.
Maersk’s new methanol-enabled ships are at the core of its ambitious decarbonization goals, with methanol offering a potential reduction of GHG emissions by 65% to 90%, depending on the feedstock and production process. The “Alexandra Mærsk,” like the other vessels in Maersk’s ECO Delivery Ocean service, is a vital component in reaching the company’s target of net-zero emissions by 2040.
The tradition of naming vessels after members of the Maersk founding family continues, with the “Alexandra Mærsk” named in honor of Alexandra Mærsk-Møller, the sister of the company’s founder, A.P. Møller.
