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Environment

First cargo ship powered by 'green methanol' has begun maiden voyage

A container ship on its way from South Korea to Denmark is using methanol fuel that reduces emissions – although future fuels may be greener

By James Dinneen

18 August 2023

Digital illustration of Maersk’s container ship powered by green methanol

Maric design/Maersk

The world’s first container ship powered entirely with “green methanol” fuel is halfway through its maiden voyage from South Korea to Denmark. The voyage marks a growing push in the shipping industry to use methanol to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions, which make up about 3 per cent of global emissions.

The electric blue, 172-metre-long ship is the first of ordered by the Danish shipping giant Maersk. The ship can run on both methanol and conventional fossil fuels, and is the smallest…

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