Laura Maersk, the world’s first methanol-fuelled container vessel, arrived at the port of London for its first call on 27 September, marking a significant milestone in the maritime industry’s journey toward decarbonisation.
This 2,100 TEUs feeder vessel will assist Maersk in meeting its long-term goal of gradually updating its whole fleet to operate purely on green fuels.
“We’re delighted that our port, and pilotage, were chosen for the maiden call of such an innovative, low-emissions container vessel, Laura Maersk. Powered by green fuel, it marks an impressive step forward in the transition to Net Zero,” stated Robin Mortimer, the Port of London Authority (PLA)’s chief executive.
Shaun Stewart, a Port of London Authority pilot, safely brought the ship carrying two of Maersk’s eye-catching rainbow containers to London Gateway. Svitzer Thames and Svitzer Monach, two of Svitzer’s first biofueled tugs, were on hand to assist the vessel’s arrival.
Maersk’s rainbow containers were unloaded and delivered to a brand-new, environmentally friendly warehouse via rail in collaboration with Maritime Transport. The last mile was driven by an electric HGV, the first of its type in the United Kingdom. This illustrates Maersk’s desire to provide consumers with “green corridors” in the future, linking all areas of the supply chain in a sustainable manner.
“Combining low emission landside transport solutions with the soon to be delivered larger vessels running on green methanol will allow us to start offering green end to end solutions for our customers. This will be the first of many initiatives to get us to Net Zero,” explained Gary Jeffreys, Maersk managing director for UK & Ireland area.
