All the way to zero
Our journey to reach net zero by 2040 continues
All the way to zero special
Shipping is the backbone of global trade and has a crucial role in connecting the world. It also comes with a significant environmental cost – greenhouse gas emissions.
Our commitment to decarbonise is clear, but how can we compete with a 100-year-old fossil fuel industry? We need to partner with our customers, fuel producers and suppliers but to succeed we also need the right regulatory playing field.
Previous events
Welcome to our fleet of the future
The challenge
Every year 100,000 vessels powered by 300 million tonnes of fuel move 11 billion tonnes of goods around the world. This makes shipping accountable for around 1,076 million tonnes of CO₂ emissions annually – around 3% of global greenhouse gas emissions.
The fuel pathway
Energy efficiency improvements will continue helping us to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions, supported by new, industry-level global and regional emission guidelines. But they will not take us all the way to our ambitious net zero target by 2040.
To get all the way to zero, we need to address our biggest source of emissions – the fuel that propels our vessels.
Green fuel is the gamechanger
To get all the way to net zero we need something new in the tank. And we need it right now.
To decarbonise global supply chains, we need to change the fuel that powers them . That’s why Maersk is committed to the principle of only ordering newbuilt vessels that can sail on green fuels.
Green methanol
Several alternative fuel pathways are available, but all have challenges in terms of suitability and technical maturity. To have a measurable impact as soon as possible, we are prioritising green methanol (e-methanol or bio-methanol) as the best solution for now.
We are working with fuel pioneers to accelerate and scale the production of e-methanol. Our partners include European Energy, a renewable energy company that is developing a new facility in Denmark to supply us with 16,000 tonnes of green methanol by 2024.
Introducing the world's first two-stroke methanol engine
Towering almost 10 metres high and exerting a monumental 10,320 kW of output - equivalent to 112 family cars - the MAN B&W ME-LGIM engine is propelling our decarbonisation ambitions closer to net zero.
Simple methanol handling, storage and bunkering, combined with relatively simple auxiliary systems, allows for near carbon-neutral propulsion when using green methanol.
Going further
Decarbonisation doesn't stop at the dock. We are rethinking every aspect of our business, from terminals to landside transportation, and from warehouses to last mile deliveries, to ensure the most energy efficient solutions for our customers.
Reducing emissions on the last mile
Deploying our electric mini delivery vehicles in Delhi, India, brings us one step closer to building a true end-to-end carbon neutral supply chain.
Decarbonising container terminals
The world’s container terminals handle around 80% of global trade by volume every year. They are also a significant contributor of greenhouse gas emissions due to their use of non-renewable electricity. Maersk's network of container terminals, owned and operated by APM Terminals, has committed to a 70% reduction in total emissions by 2030, and to be completely net zero by 2040. This is the port industry’s most ambitious greenhouse gas emissions target to date.
All the way together
Green methanol producer
Shipbuilder and heavy equipment manufacturer
Green methanol producer
Marine engine and machinery producer
E-methanol producer
Dual Fuel Engine Propels Green Methanol-Powered Vessels
Greener fleet facts
With this vessel, we have taken an important step in our journey towards net zero emissions. Our hope is to show the way - not only for Maersk but for the entire logistics industry.
Vincent Clerc, CEO, A.P. Moller - Maersk
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