Container Shipping & Trade editor Rebecca Moore reviews the major stories and developments for the container ship sector in 2023
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Laura Maersk: a starting point for a new future
The world’s first container ship powered by methanol has arrived. Laura Maersk has to be the top story this year within the container shipping industry. I was lucky enough to attend the press event held on the day of Laura Maersk’s naming ceremony and to be shown around the ship. Hearing first hand about the challenges Maersk overcame to launch this ship made me realise what an incredible achievement it is that Laura Maersk is now on the water. This ship has already had a powerful influence as other container ship operators are following in Maersk’s footsteps in using methanol as a fuel. The vessel will undoubtedly influence future methanol box ship orders.
Coming together for net zero
In a significant milestone in propelling the container ship industry to net zero, CMA CGM nd Maersk have joined forces to accelerate decarbonisation. This underlines how crucial it is for the container ship industry to work together to achieve net zero. Both of these container shipping lines are leaders – together they will be even more powerful and hopefully help to iron out the challenges in achieving zero emissions.
Enter ammonia
Interest in ammonia has been ramping up within the container ship sector, with AiPs gathering apace. And here we have a momentous announcement: the world’s first ammonia-powered box ship aims to launch in 2026. North Sea Container Line’s (NCL) new box ship, which will be “fully powered by clean ammonia”, will undoubtedly play a key role in influencing other box ship ammonia orders. It underlines the importance of partnership, from across the industry to government support, with NCL, Yara Clean Ammonia and parent company Yara International clubbing together for this project, boosted by grants from the Norwegian Ministry of Climate and Environmet’s investment fund Enova.
First hydrogen inland container ship
Among all the talk of ammonia and methanol, another alternative fuel is tipped to have a place within container shipping, and that is why this story is important. Dutch shipping company Future Proof Shipping (FPS) has launched the first hydrogen inland container ship H2 Barge 1. And crucially, it qualifies as a truly zero-emissions vessel. It is likely this vessel will persuade other box ship and box feeder operators to make the transition to zero-emissions hydrogen power. This story also underlines the growing significance of the shipper when it comes to the decarbonisation of the container ship industry. As part of its journey toward a zero-carbon future, Nike is chartering the vessel and partnering with FPS and BCTN Network of Inland Terminals to accelerate zero-emissions shipping.
Box ports key to energy transition
The role of the container port is being revolutionised. No longer just a hub for the movement of continers, they are poised to play a central role in the energy transition. They are transforming into energy hubs – providing the bunkering needed for alternative fuels – and are set to play key role in the development of green corridors. This feature highlights the work container ports are carrying out to provide a crucial link in the transition to net zero.
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