World’s First Large Retrofitted Dual-Fuel Methanol Container Ship Enters Service

Maersk, a Danish shipping company, has successfully converted the Maersk Halifax, a large container ship, into a dual-fuel methanol-powered ship.

The vessel has become the world’s first large container ship to operate on methanol. The company aims to achieve net-zero emissions by 2040 with these constant modifications to its fleet.

The retrofit was completed in 88 days at the Zhoushan Xinya Shipyard in China by the end of October 2024. After successful sea trials, the Maersk Halifax has resumed operations and is now sailing on the Trans-Pacific trade route.

The conversion project required several complex modifications, including the replacement of essential engine parts to enable methanol operations.

The ship has also been equipped with new fuel tanks, a fuel supply system, and a fuel preparation room. Additionally, its hull was expanded by 15 meters, extending the vessel’s length to 368 meters and its capacity from 15,000 TEU to 15,690 TEU.

The work was conducted in collaboration with MAN Energy Solutions, which also led the engine conversion.

The Maersk Halifax, a Singapore-registered vessel with a new deadweight tonnage of 185,000 tons, is part of Maersk’s Hong Kong class fleet.

According to Maersk, this conversion project is a demonstration of the feasibility of retrofitting existing vessels in the fleet to operate on low-emission fuels.

Retrofitting existing ships in the fleet, like the Halifax, could be a more cost-effective option than constructing brand-new ones, as per a company representative.

The company also revealed plans to use its expertise from this conversion for future ones, with another sister ship scheduled for similar upgrades in 2027.

Per the reports, MAN Energy Solutions is about to convert all 11 vessels of this class.

Leonardo Sonzio, the Head of Fleet Management and Technology at Maersk, reiterated the importance of such retrofits in reducing emissions and switching from fossil fuels to eco-friendly alternatives.

The company has already ordered 18 dual-fuel methanol ships. Among these, five are set to enter service by 2025. The latest vessel from this order, the Alexandra Maersk, was christened in October.

Besides Maersk, many shipping companies are switching from conventional to eco-friendly fuels to meet the net-zero emissions target for international shipping set by the International Maritime Organization.

There are now 22 methanol-powered containerships in operation, and 218 more are scheduled for delivery by 2030, according to DNV’s Alternative Fuels Insights database.

Other shipping companies, including China’s COSCO Shipping and Hapag-Lloyd, a German shipping company, have also initiated methanol retrofitting projects for their existing fleet.

The Maersk Halifax is now en route across the Pacific, carrying its first shipment post-conversion. This accomplishment is a step forward in the maritime industry’s goal of greener and more sustainable operations.

Reference: Maersk

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