Danish shipping giant Maersk has taken delivery of its third large methanol dual-fuel powered containership and the fourth ship in its methanol-powered fleet.
The third 16,000 TEU methanol dual-fuel powered containership “Antonia Maersk” built by HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, was recently named at a naming ceremony in the port of Aarhus, Denmark. The ship’s godmother is Kirsten Andersen, wife of Henrik Andersen, CEO of Danish wind turbine manufacturer Vestas.
The “Antonia Maersk” is the third in a series of 18 large 16,000 TEU methanol dual-fuel powered containerships being built by HD Hyundai Heavy Industries for Maersk, with the remaining 15 units expected to be delivered in 2024 and 2025.
With a length of 350 meters and a breadth of 53.5 meters, the containership can carry 16,000 TEUs and is equipped with methanol dual-fuel engines developed by German engine manufacturer MAN ES. The new ship adopts an innovative design that is the first of its kind in the industry, with the crew accommodations and bridge located at the bow to ensure fuel savings while increasing container capacity, and the smokestack placed at the stern side to provide more space for cargo.
In general, the cargo carrying capacity of this containership will be 7% higher than that of existing ships of the same class. This separation between accommodation and smokestack design will also improve the efficiency of the ship in port.
It is reported that the first 16,000 TEU large methanol dual-fuel powered containership, “Ane Maersk”, was named in January 2024; the second, “Astrid Maersk”, was named in April 2024; and the fourth is scheduled to be named on August 27, 2024.
By 2030, Maersk expects to have a fleet of 25 methanol-powered ships that will reduce CO2 emissions by 2.75 million tons per year.
