Green fuel collaboration

The General Protocol for Collaboration signed by Maersk and the Spanish Government marks a significant milestone in the collaboration that, if implemented in full, could deliver up to two million tonnes of green fuels per year.

”We are living in a climate emergency and we need to rapidly accelerate the availability of green future fuels. We are very pleased to explore green fuel opportunities with the Spanish Government as the country holds key characteristics to help solve this challenge with its great hydrogen ambitions and aspiring sustainability goals. At the same time, Spain encompasses significant renewable resources and is placed along key shipping routes,” said Soren Skou, CEO, A.P. Moller – Maersk.

Value chain

The project aims to explore the feasibility on how to cover the full value chain from renewable energy sources to bunkering of vessels.

It will review production opportunities in the Andalusia and Galicia regions and has an overall estimated potential to generate up to around 85,000 jobs including construction and temporary positions.

The availability of green energy and fuels in sufficient quantities and at cost-competitive price levels remains the main challenge for the decarbonisation of global shipping.

Maersk alone needs approximately six million tonnes of green methanol per year to reach its 2030 milestone fleet emissions target and even larger amounts by 2040 for its fleet to reach net zero.

The 19 vessels capable of running on green methanol that Maersk will put in operation during 2023-2025 will require approx. 750,000 tonnes of green methanol. Earlier in 2022, Maersk announced a total of seven strategic partnerships to secure the volumes needed to meet the demands of these initial vessels.