Katerina Swanson
Maersk is a Danish shipping company that owns and operates a fleet of container ships. The company has recently invested in more sustainable practices, including the use of dual-fuel vessels and methanol-powered containerships. The Emma Maersk, built in 2006, was the world's largest container ship at the time, with a maximum capacity of 11,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU) and a fuel consumption of 1,660 gallons of heavy fuel oil per hour. In 2024, Maersk ordered 20 dual-fuel vessels with a total capacity of 300,000 TEU, and the company also took delivery of the Ane Maersk, a methanol-powered containership with a capacity of 16,000 TEU. These new vessels demonstrate Maersk's commitment to decarbonization and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Fuel consumption at economical speed | 0.260 bs/hp/hour |
| Thermal efficiency of the engine | Over 50% at maximum economy |
| Fuel consumption per hour | 14,000 litres or 3,600 US gallons |
| Fuel saved per year | 1,200 tonnes |
| Fuel type | Methanol |
| Fuel tank capacity | 16,000 cubic metres |
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What You'll Learn
The Emma Maersk's fuel storage capacity
The Emma Maersk is a container ship owned and operated by AP Moller-Maersk. It was built at the Lindø Yard in Denmark and is the first container vessel in Maersk’s E series of eight container ships, which were the largest container ships ever built until 2012. The ship can carry around 11,000 twenty-foot-equivalent units (TEUs) or 14,770 TEU, depending on the definition. This is 1,400 more than any other comparable container ship.
The ship is 397m long and 56m wide, with a draught of 15.5m and a deck edge-to-keel depth of 30m. It can sail at 25.5k and can accommodate 30 personnel. The hull is coated with a silicone-based paint to reduce drag and improve efficiency, which increases the ship's efficiency by 12% and saves 1,200 tonnes of fuel per year. The ship also recycles its engine exhaust, further increasing efficiency and reducing emissions.
The Emma Maersk is powered by a Wärtsilä-Sulzer RTA96-C engine, the world's largest single diesel unit, weighing 2,300 tons and capable of 81 MW (109,000 hp) when burning 14,000 litres (3,600 US gallons) of heavy fuel oil per hour. At economical speed, fuel consumption is 0.260 bs/hp/hour (6,284 litres/hour). The thermal efficiency of the engine is over 50% at maximum economy.
The ship also has several features to lower environmental damage, including exhaust heat recovery and cogeneration. Some of the exhaust gases are returned to the engine to improve economy and lower emissions, and some are passed through a steam generator, which then powers a Peter Brotherhood steam turbine and electrical generators. This creates an electrical output of 8.5 MW, equivalent to about 12% of the main engine power output.
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The Emma Maersk's fuel consumption
The Emma Maersk is a container ship owned and operated by AP Moller-Maersk. It was built at the Lindø Yard in Denmark and was the first container vessel in Maersk's E series of eight container ships, which were the largest container ships ever built until 2012. The ship can carry around 11,000 twenty-foot-equivalent units (TEUs) or 14,770 TEU, depending on the definition. Its maximum capacity is 11,000 TEU, which is 1,400 more than any other comparable container ship.
The Emma Maersk features the world's largest diesel engine, the Wärtsilä-Sulzer RTA96-C, weighing in at 2,300 tons. The engine consumes 1,660 gallons of heavy fuel oil per hour. At economical speed, the fuel consumption is 0.260 bs/hp/hour or 6,284 litres per hour. The ship has several environmentally friendly features, including exhaust heat recovery and cogeneration. Some of the exhaust gases are returned to the engine to improve economy and lower emissions, increasing efficiency by 12%. The hull is coated with a silicone-based paint, which reduces drag and improves efficiency, saving 1,200 tons of fuel per year.
The Emma Maersk has a length of 397m, a beam of 56m, a draught of 15.5m, and a deck edge-to-keel depth of 30m. It can sail at 25.5k and accommodate 30 personnel. The ship's regular round trip is between northern Europe and the Far East via the English Channel, the Strait of Gibraltar, and the Suez Canal.
In terms of fuel storage capacity, while I cannot find specific information on the fuel storage capacity of the Emma Maersk, I have found that the methanol-powered Ane Maersk, another vessel in the Maersk fleet, has two methanol fuel tanks with a total capacity of 16,000 cubic meters (560,000 cubic feet).
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Maersk's dual-fuel vessels
Maersk has signed agreements with three shipyards for the construction of 20 container vessels featuring dual-fuel engines. The new vessels will have a combined capacity of 300,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU). The first vessel is expected to be delivered in 2028, with the last one scheduled for 2030. The vessels will be phased in to replace existing capacity.
All 20 ships will be powered by liquified gas dual-fuel engines, enabling Maersk to reduce emissions and enhance sustainability in its operations. This move aligns with Maersk’s plans announced in August 2024 to refresh its fleet with more environmentally friendly ships. The company aims to reach net-zero GHG emissions by 2040 across its entire business through new technologies, new vessels, and reduced GHG emissions fuels.
Maersk defines "'reduced GHG emissions fuels' as fuels with at least a 65% reduction in GHG emissions on a lifecycle basis compared to fossil fuels. The new dual-fuel vessels will be equipped with liquified gas dual-fuel propulsion systems and will vary in size from 9,000 to 17,000 TEU. Due to their different sizes, the vessels will be able to fulfil many roles and functions within Maersk's future network and provide deployment flexibility.
Maersk has also finalised charter contracts for additional dual-fuel vessels capable of running on methanol and liquified gas, amounting to a total capacity of 500,000 TEU. These charter vessels will replace existing capacity. Maersk's newbuilding orders comprise vessels of various sizes, including two 9,000 TEU ships from Yangzijiang Shipbuilding, 12 15,000 TEU vessels from Hanwha Ocean and New Times Shipbuilding, and six 17,000 TEU ships from Yangzijiang Shipbuilding.
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Maersk's methanol-powered vessels
Maersk has ordered several methanol-powered vessels as part of its commitment to decarbonisation and sustainability. In 2021, the company announced an agreement with Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) to build eight large dual-fuel container vessels, with the option of four additional vessels in 2025. These vessels will be powered by carbon-neutral methanol or very low-sulfur fuel oil. The first vessel was expected to be operational by early 2024.
The world's first large methanol-enabled container vessel, the "Ane Maersk," was named in South Korea in early 2024. It is the first of Maersk's 18 large methanol-enabled vessels to be delivered between 2024 and 2025. The "Ane Maersk" has a capacity of 16,000 TEU and is scheduled to operate on the AE7 string connecting Asia and Europe.
Maersk has also ordered six methanol-powered vessels, with a capacity of 9,000 TEU each, to be delivered in 2026 and 2027. These vessels will have dual-fuel engines, enabling them to operate on both fuel oil and methanol. With these orders, Maersk aims to reduce its annual greenhouse gas emissions and take a step towards its target of becoming net-zero by 2040.
By the end of the decade, Maersk anticipates that 25 of its vessels will be sailing on green methanol, resulting in a significant reduction of 2.75 million tons of CO2 emissions annually. This aligns with the company's commitment to a more sustainable industry and its ongoing fleet renewal program.
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Maersk's reduced GHG emissions fuels
Maersk, an integrated logistics company, is committed to reducing its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The company has defined "reduced GHG emissions fuels" as fuels with at least a 65% reduction in GHG emissions on a lifecycle basis compared to 94 g CO2e/MJ of fossil fuels.
Maersk's transition plan from 2030 to 2040 will focus on energy efficiency and fuel shifts, with the company committing to reduce absolute scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions by 96% and absolute scope 3 GHG emissions by 90% by 2040. Maersk also aims to increase its annual sourcing of renewable electricity from 22.7% in 2022 to 100% by 2030.
To achieve these targets, Maersk has partnered with leading food and beverage company Danone to reduce logistics GHG emissions by using Maersk ECO Delivery Ocean. This product is based on reduced GHG emission fuels like biodiesel and biomethanol, which are produced solely from waste feedstocks. With the applied version of ECO Delivery Ocean, GHG emissions are reduced by more than 40% compared to conventional fossil fuels.
In addition to its partnership with Danone, Maersk has also finalized charter contracts for 20 dual-fuel vessels with a total capacity of 300,000 TEU. These vessels will be equipped with liquified gas dual-fuel propulsion systems and will be delivered between 2028 and 2030. Maersk has also added seven large dual-fuel methanol vessels to its fleet and has ordered an additional 20 dual-fuel vessels, demonstrating its commitment to decarbonization and reduced GHG emissions fuels.
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Frequently asked questions
The Emma Maersk, owned and operated by AP Moller-Maersk, has a fuel storage capacity of 14,000 litres or 3,600 US gallons.
At economical speed, the Emma Maersk consumes 0.260 bs/hp/hour or 6,284 litres/hour.
Maersk has ordered 20 dual-fuel vessels with a total capacity of 300,000 TEU, which will replace existing capacity in their fleet. While the exact fuel usage of the Maersk Line is unclear, the Emma Maersk alone saves 1,200 tonnes of fuel per year due to its silicone-based hull paint.
