Download PDF version

A.P. Moller - Maersk (Maersk) has introduced the design of their eight ground-breaking and industry-renowned 16,000 TEU container vessels, powered by carbon-neutral methanol.

When designing these, the company’s ambition was to make sure the new vessels could service their customers in a smarter way, while contributing to their carbon-neutral transportation goals.

Carbon-neutral transportation

Unique to the industry, this design allows a 20% improved energy efficiency per transported container, when comparing to the industry average for vessels in this size.

Additionally, the entire series is expected to save around one million tons of annual CO2 emissions, offering customers carbon-neutral transportation at scale on ocean trades.

New design of vessels

The vessels will be 350 metres long, 53.5 metres wide and will look significantly different from what has been seen before, for any larger container vessels. The crew accommodation and bridge will be located at the bow, in order to enable increased container capacity.

The funnel will be in the aft and only on one side of the vessel, thereby providing further space for cargo

The funnel will be in the aft and only on one side of the vessel, thereby providing further space for cargo. This separation between accommodation and funnel will also improve efficiency, when at the port.

The making of this took nearly five years and all the while crossing uncharted naval design territory. To enable this new design, several challenges had to be addressed. Firstly, crew comfort had to be ensured, with the accommodation placed in this more exposed location.

New arrangements for lifeboats and navigational lights

Moreover, adequate hull strength was also a key parameter to safeguard, with the accommodation block normally working as a hull ‘stiffener’, when placed further backwards. New arrangements for lifeboats and navigational lights had to be developed, plus new cameras to support the captain’s view when navigating.

The series, built by Hyundai Heavy Industries, comes with an innovative dual-fuel engine setup that can operate on methanol and conventional low-sulphur fuel. With fuel capacity, the vessels will be able to complete an entire round trips, for example Asia-Europe region, on green methanol as fuel.

Enhancing efficiency of future supply chains

Palle Laursen, Chief Technical Officer (CTO) at A.P. Moller – Maersk, said “The first vessel is scheduled to be in operation at the beginning of 2024. We look forward to getting these vessels across the world’s oceans and continuing our work in creating new solutions, to improve the efficiency of our customers’ future supply chain.

Download PDF version Download PDF version

In case you missed it

DNV data shows growth in LNG vessel orders 2025
DNV data shows growth in LNG vessel orders 2025

The ordering of alternative-fuelled vessels is continuing to grow in 2025, despite a slowdown in the overall newbuild market. According to data from DNV’s Alternative Fuels...

S-100: Charting a sustainable course for maritime's digital future
S-100: Charting a sustainable course for maritime's digital future

Maritime digitalisation, decarbonisation and autonomy were the dominant themes at this month's Nor-shipping conference, where mariners from around the world gathered to discuss the...

TGE Marine's ammonia systems lead maritime innovation
TGE Marine's ammonia systems lead maritime innovation

Höegh Autoliners has revolutionised maritime transport with its Aurora Class vessels, marking significant progress toward sustainable deep-sea shipping. These Pure Car and Tru...

vfd