Maersk, Yokohama, and Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Team Up for Green Methanol Bunkering Future

Shipping giant A.P. Moller-Maersk has joined forces with the City of Yokohama and Mitsubishi Gas Chemical to create a pioneering green methanol bunkering infrastructure in Yokohama. This landmark collaboration marks a major step towards decarbonizing the maritime industry in Japan and beyond.

Driven by its ambitious net-zero goal for 2040, Maersk plans to equip 25 container vessels with dual-fuel engines capable of running on green methanol. The success of this ambitious initiative hinges on establishing readily available bunkering options for this sustainable fuel worldwide.

Enter Yokohama, a renowned leader in Japan's green shipping corridor development. The city boasts the country's deepest water berth and a fervent commitment to carbon neutrality by 2050. Partnering with Yokohama allows Maersk to tap into its crucial port infrastructure and expertise in building an eco-friendly maritime landscape.

Mitsubishi Gas Chemical, meanwhile, brings its industry-leading expertise in methanol production, supplying over half of Japan's demand. The company views establishing methanol as a ship fuel supply base as a vital step towards both international maritime decarbonization and Japan's own carbon neutrality goals.

This powerful tripartite collaboration will focus on two key areas:

• Examining operational feasibility: The partners will meticulously analyze the viability of green methanol bunkering at Yokohama Port, tackling any logistical or technical hurdles.
• Developing port facilities: Building the necessary infrastructure to efficiently and safely bunker green methanol onto Maersk's vessels is a crucial aspect of the project.

"Through this collaboration, we aim to pave the way for the development of green fuel bunkering infrastructure in Japan," stated Toru Nishiyama, Managing Director of Maersk Northeast Asia.

Yokohama Mayor Dr. Takeharu Yamanaka echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the city's ambition to spearhead Japan's green shipping corridors and welcome like-minded partners to join the initiative.

Masashi Fujii, President of Mitsubishi Gas Chemical, expressed the hope that this project would accelerate the adoption of methanol as a clean and sustainable ship fuel, contributing significantly to both international maritime transport and Japan's carbon neutrality goals.

This groundbreaking collaboration between Maersk, Yokohama, and Mitsubishi Gas Chemical signifies a major turning point in the fight against maritime emissions. By harnessing their combined expertise and resources, they pave the way for a greener future for the shipping industry, not just in Japan, but potentially across the globe.