Maersk and the Spanish Government have signed a General Protocol for Collaboration to explore the opportunities for large-scale green fuels production in Spain. If implemented in full, the agreement could deliver up to 2 million tonnes of green fuels per year.

The project aims to explore the feasibility on how to cover the full value chain from renewable energy sources to bunkering of vessels.

‘We are living in a climate emergency, and we need to rapidly accelerate the availability of green future fuels,’ says Soren Skou, CEO, Maersk. ‘We are very pleased to explore green fuel opportunities with the Spanish Government, as the country holds key characteristics to help solve this challenge with its great hydrogen ambitions and aspiring sustainability goals. At the same time, Spain encompasses significant renewable resources and is placed along key shipping routes.’

The parties are reviewing production opportunities in the Andalusia and Galicia regions. The project has an overall estimated potential to generate up to around 85.000 jobs including construction and temporary positions.

Also read: Maersk revenue hits all-time high in 2021

Availability remains a challenge

The availability of green energy and fuels in sufficient quantities and at cost-competitive price levels remains the main challenge for the decarbonisation of global shipping.

Maersk alone needs approximately 6 million tonnes of green methanol per year to reach its 2030 milestone fleet emissions target and even larger amounts by 2040 for its fleet to reach net zero.

Henriette Hallberg, CEO Fleet & Strategic Brands at Maersk: ‘Operating a large fleet of container vessels, we are part of the climate problem, and we have made the choice to take an active part in shaping the solutions to secure a green and just transition, enabling the global shipping industry to deliver on the Paris Agreement and Maersk to achieve its 2040 net-zero target. To achieve our goals, we need to collaborate with partners who are actively looking at green solutions for the future.’

Also read: Maersk speeds up net zero-emission targets to 2040

Methanol-powered container ships

The nineteen container ships capable of running on green methanol that Maersk will put in operation during 2023-2025 will require approximately 750,000 tonnes of green methanol. Earlier in 2022, Maersk announced a total of seven strategic partnerships to secure the volumes needed to meet the demands of these initial vessels.

Also read: Maersk orders another six methanol-powered container vessels

Picture: In October, Maersk announced it had ordered another six 17,000 TEU container ships that can sail on methanol (by Maersk).