Maersk names latest green fuel cargo vessel at Port of Felixstowe

A shipping company celebrated the naming of its latest vessel which will run on green fuels.

The ship - named Alexandra Maersk - docked at the Port of Felixstowe for the ceremony yesterday morning.

It is the sixth vessel in Maersk’s owned fleet which will be able to sail on methanol - a non-persistent chemical that is broken down in the environment.

The company said the ship can produce less emissions than traditional fossil fuels when run on green methanol, which will help the firm reach its net-zero target by 2040.

“It’s a privilege to join the naming ceremony for the Alexandara Maersk - one of the first container vessel to run on green methanol,” said Mike Kane, UK’s Maritime Minister.

“This is exactly the kind of innovation we need to deliver a greener, cleaner maritime sector, which is better for people and for our planet.

“Delivering greener transport is one of our top priorities and we ill do so by reducing harmful greenhouse gas emissions and investing in alternative fuels and technologies.”

Using low emission methanol can reduce the greenhouse gas emissions by 65 to 90 per cent compared to conventional fossil fuels, such as bunker oil.

Retail giant Primark, which has partnered with Maersk, said the ship was an important step towards its own aim to halve carbon emissions by 2030.

Vincent Clerc, CEO of Moller-Maersk, said: “It’s great to see customers like Primark taking action and partner with us to decarbonise ocean transport.

“True progress in the green transformation requires collective effort.

“We remain hopeful and continue to do all in our power to progress the green transition of shipping.”

The ship can carry more than 16,000 standard containers.

Alexandra Maersk was named after Alexandra Mærsk-Møller (1868-1953), who was an older sister of A.P. Møller, the founder of A.P. Moller - Maersk.