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.
