Maersk joins Japanese green methanol bunkering network

The City of Yokohama, Mitsubishi Gas Chemical (MGC) and Maersk have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the development of green methanol bunkering infrastructure at the Port of Yokohama, Japan.

This is the location of APM Terminal’s (APMT) Minami-Honmoku container terminal. This latest agreement aims to support Maersk’s growing fleet of 16,000 TEU green methanol-powered container vessels.

Under the terms of the partnership, the carrier will equip 25 container vessels with dual-fuel engines capable of sailing on green methanol.

The successful implementation of this initiative heavily relies on the establishment of port bunkering infrastructure for methanol worldwide.

The collaboration will reportedly focus on examining operational feasibility and developing port facilities required for green methanol bunkering at the Port of Yokohama.

“Yokohama Port has proudly held the record for the highest number of foreign vessels calls in Japan for around 60 years, underscoring its critical role in maritime transportation where ‘fuel supply and bunkering for vessels’ holds significant importance,” said Takeharu Yamanaka, Mayor of Yokohama.

“Moving forward, the three parties involved will collaborate to promote the use of green methanol in accordance with the memorandum.

“Yokohama aims to spearhead the development of Japan’s green shipping corridors while also aiming to explore and invite more like-minded future partners to join the initiative,” Yamanaka added.

Masashi Fujii, President of Mitsubishi Gas Chemical, added: “We believe that the establishment of methanol as a ship fuel supply base in Japan is an important initiative that will contribute to international maritime transport and carbon neutrality of Japan.”

The Minami-Honmoku container terminal offers the deepest water berth in Japan with a total length of 1,600 metres and a draft of 18 metres, reported APMT.

This is the only terminal in Japan capable of handling vessels of over 14,000 TEU with capabilities up to 24,000 TEU.

Equipped with Ship-to-Shore (STS) cranes with a maximum outreach of 24 rows, the terminal covers a total area of 854,000 square metres and has an annual handling capacity of approximately 2.4 million TEU.

The terminal has the option of increasing handling capacity through expansion onto neighbouring land.

“I am sure that decarbonisation will naturally become a core part of the future competitiveness, and I am thrilled to play a role in assisting both Maersk and City of Yokohama on this green methanol bunkering initiative, which is lightening our path toward net zero in 2040,” commented APMT Japan’s Managing Director, Sakura Kuma.

In late 2023, APMT Callao began construction on Stage 3A of the Multipurpose North Terminal Modernization Project at the Port of Callao.

More recently, Maersk confirmed the timely completion of the Phase 2 of the 1 million TEU expansion at APMT MedPort Tangier, Morocco.