VESSEL REVIEW | Ane Mærsk – Methanol-powered boxship boasts 16,000TEU capacity

Danish shipping company A.P. Moller Maersk recently took delivery of a new ultra-large containership (ULCS) built by HD Hyundai Heavy Industries of South Korea.

The newbuild is the first in a new series of large methanol-enabled ships that will be delivered to Maersk between 2024 and 2025. This is in line with the company's goal of reducing emissions during operations with a target of achieving "net zero" greenhouse gas emissions by 2040.

The vessel is also the world's second methanol-powered containership, the first being the 2,100TEU Laura Maersk, which was handed over to Maersk in 2023.

Large capacity combined with greater fuel efficiency

Ane Mærsk has a length of 350 metres (1,100 feet), a beam of 53.5 metres (176 feet), a draught of 18 metres (59 feet), capacity for 16,592 TEUs, and accommodations for 30 crewmembers. It also boasts an innovative design with the funnel taking up minimal space at the stern and the bridge and the accommodation block placed well forward to ensure fuel-efficient operations and to maximise cargo capacity.

The ship is powered by a Hyundai-MAN B&W 8G95ME-C10.5-LGIM-EGRTC eight-cylinder, dual-fuel engine with a rated output of 44,187 kW (32,950 hp) to enable Ane Mærsk to achieve a service speed of 21 knots. The engine can also run on traditional marine fuel in addition to methanol, ensuring operational flexibility.

There are also four HiMSEN H32DF-LM dual-fuel auxiliary engines (consisting of three nine-cylinder units and one six-cylinder unit) and a 4MW shaft generator.

Capable of long-range, methanol-only sailings

Two methanol fuel tanks located forward of the engine room and with a total capacity of 16,000 cubic metres (560,000 cubic feet) will allow the vessel to sail up to 23,000 nautical miles. Also, the ship's operation on methanol can help reduce emissions of CO2 by as much as 280 tonnes per day compared to a similar-sized vessel running on heavy fuel oil.

The crew accommodation spaces include 30 single cabins, a mess, a galley, stores areas, a firefighting station, a fitness room, a medical treatment room, and a laundry room.

Ane Mærsk has since entered service on the AE7 string that connects Asia and Europe and also includes port calls in the Middle East and the Mediterranean. The ship sailed on its maiden voyage on green methanol made from renewable sources, though the main engine can also run on "grey" methanol made from fossil fuels.

Vincent Clerc, Chief Executive Officer of A.P. Moller-Maersk, said the new ULCS and its sisters will be suitable for serving customers that wish to reduce the emissions of their respective supply chains.