A.P. Moller – Maersk has officially named the Berlin Mærsk as the first of six next-generation methanol-powered container vessels, marking a major step forward in its fleet decarbonization strategy. The naming ceremony took place on June 18, 2025, at Hyundai Heavy Industries’ shipyard in Ulsan, South Korea.
The Berlin Mærsk is the latest addition to Maersk’s growing dual-fuel fleet and now holds the title of the company’s largest methanol-powered containership to date. With a capacity of 17,480 TEU, it’s designed to operate on either green methanol or conventional marine fuels, aligning with Maersk’s goal to become net zero across its operations by 2040.
Unlike its predecessor, the Ane Mærsk class, the Berlin Mærsk introduces a wider beam, increasing container capacity without significantly altering fuel consumption. This design evolution reflects a practical approach to efficiency—maximizing cargo intake while keeping emissions per container down.
Built for the Future, Ready Today
The vessel is one of six sister ships under construction at Hyundai Heavy Industries and is part of a wider investment in dual-fuel technologies that Maersk hopes will future-proof its operations. All six ships are scheduled for delivery by the end of 2025.
Flying the Danish flag, the Berlin Mærsk will enter service on July 7, 2025, calling first at Shanghai before continuing its rotation on the AE3 service, which links East Asia with Northern Europe.
This route is a critical artery for global container flows, and the deployment of such a vessel on this service signals Maersk’s intent to integrate sustainable technologies into the very core of its long-haul operations—not just in niche or experimental trade lanes.
14th Dual-Fuel Newbuild and Counting
With the Berlin Mærsk, Maersk now has 14 methanol-capable newbuilds in its fleet. This latest series will push that number to 19 by the end of this year, a scale that sets it apart from other major lines still testing the waters with alternative fuels.
These vessels aren’t simply transitional—they represent a concrete shift in fleet composition, offering flexibility as the availability of green methanol ramps up in global bunkering hubs. Until then, they can operate on traditional marine fuels, ensuring commercial viability regardless of fuel infrastructure readiness.
Scaling Up Sustainability
The Berlin Mærsk series is a cornerstone in Maersk’s broader decarbonization strategy, which includes not only new vessels but also retrofits, alternative fuels, and ecosystem partnerships across its supply chain. Maersk has already secured multiple green methanol supply agreements and is actively investing in production capacity through joint ventures and off-take deals.
According to Maersk, the company is preparing for a future with “multiple fuel pathways,” and this class of vessels is engineered to be adaptable to evolving regulations and technologies. That flexibility makes the Berlin Mærsk class not just a ship, but a platform for change.
Setting a Benchmark
With competitors eyeing methanol, LNG, ammonia, and even nuclear concepts, the Berlin Mærsk class sets a clear benchmark for what a near-term, scalable green vessel can look like. It’s large, efficient, and already on the water—not stuck in a design lab or regulatory limbo.
Maersk’s commitment to operationalizing these vessels by the end of 2025 speaks volumes about the company’s confidence in both the technology and the market demand for greener supply chain options.
The other five vessels in this class are expected to follow in quick succession, with delivery spread evenly through the remainder of 2025.
