A.P. Moller-Maersk has taken delivery of a new methanol-capable container ship, according to Ship & Bunker. The company announced the delivery of the Tacoma Mærsk in a LinkedIn post, as reported by Ship & Bunker.
The vessel was delivered at Yangzijiang Shipbuilding Holdings in China, according to Ship & Bunker. With a capacity of 9,000 TEU, the ship is one of six mid-sized dual-fuel vessels joining Maersk’s fleet, the company said in its LinkedIn post cited by Ship & Bunker.
Dual-Fuel Capability
The Tacoma Mærsk is equipped with a dual-fuel engine, allowing it to run on either methanol or conventional marine fuels, according to Ship & Bunker. This latest addition brings Maersk’s methanol-capable fleet to around 23 ships, Ship & Bunker reports.
Ship & Bunker notes that Maersk was an early adopter of methanol as a marine fuel but has more recently broadened its alternative-fuels approach, placing multiple orders for LNG-fuelled container ships as well.
Deployment Plans
According to Ship & Bunker, the Tacoma Mærsk will soon enter service on Maersk’s MECL route, which connects the Middle East and India with the US East Coast.
Does This Matter to You?
For those monitoring the marine fuels market, this delivery reflects the continued build-out of methanol-fuelled tonnage in the container shipping sector. As Maersk’s methanol-capable fleet grows toward 23 vessels, according to Ship & Bunker, this signals ongoing demand for methanol as a bunker fuel option alongside conventional fuels and LNG.
Bunker suppliers and port operators along the MECL route linking the Middle East, India, and the US East Coast may see relevance in tracking fuel availability and infrastructure needs as vessels like the Tacoma Mærsk begin operating on this service. The source material does not specify further operational or commercial details beyond the vessel’s capacity, delivery, and intended trade lane.
Gulf Bunkering does not provide operational or security guidance. This article is for informational purposes only. Operators should consult flag state authorities, P&I clubs, and relevant advisories for decisions relating to transit planning.
Sources: Ship & Bunker
