Shipping heavyweights A.P. Moller - Maersk A/S and CMA CGM have announced that they are working together to develop the use of future fuels for the shipping industry.
In a joint statement issued today (19 September), the companies said that, through the partnership, they intend to jointly develop standards for alternative sustainable, green fuels - including the analysis of full lifecycle and related greenhouse gasses - and help set the framework of mass production of green methane and green methanol.
Additionally, Maersk and CMA CGM will seek to develop and maintain standards for operation of green methanol vessels with regards to safety and bunkering, as well as accelerating port readiness for bunkering and supply of bio/e-methanol at key ports around the world.
As previously reported, Maersk’s first methanol-fuelled vessel, the 2,100 TEU (twenty-foot-equivalent) feeder vessel LAURA Maersk, was named in Copenhagen last week - and the shipping company has an additional 24 methanol-fuelled vessels on order for delivery between 2024 and 2027.
CMA CGM, which in 2017 announced its decision to operate nine 22,000 TEU boxship newbuildings on LNG fuel, has also placed orders for container vessels that can be operated on bio/e methanol.
As part of the collaboration, Maersk and CMA CGM say they will also continue to jointly explore R&D on other components of the net zero solution including new alternative fuels, such as ammonia, or innovation technology for ships.
‘This partnership is a milestone for the decarbonisation of our industry. By combining the know-how and the expertise of two shipping leaders, we will accelerate the development of new solutions and technologies, enabling our industry to reach its CO2 reduction targets,’ said Rodolphe Saadé Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the CMA CGM Group. ‘We are looking forward to being joined by other companies.’
Vincent Clerc, Chief Executive Officer at A.P. Moller – Maersk, added: ‘A.P. Moller - Maersk wants to accelerate the green transition in shipping and logistics and to do so, we need strong involvement from partners across the industry. We are pleased to have an ally in CMA CGM and it’s a testament that when we united through determined efforts and partnerships, a tangible and optimistic path toward a sustainable future emerges.’
