First Large Containership Methanol Conversion Completed for Maersk Halifax
In a significant milestone for green shipping, the conversion of the Maersk Halifax to a dual-fuel methanol vessel was celebrated on October 29 with a ceremony in China. This marks the first large, in-service containership retrofitted to run on methanol, advancing the industry’s shift toward sustainable fuel alternatives.
The conversion took place at the Zhoushan Yatai Ship Engineering and Repair Co. where the vessel docked in July, with initial steel cutting for the project having started in March 2024 following a contract signing in 2023. To expedite the timeline, the shipyard used prefabricated sections, achieving a total conversion time of 236 days.
The comprehensive upgrade involved modifying the main engine, installing methanol fuel tanks, and lengthening the vessel. Originally built in 2017 in South Korea as the Maersk Honam, the ship was repaired and renamed Maersk Halifax after sustaining damage in 2018. Prior to the upgrade, the vessel was 1,158 feet (352 meters) long with a capacity of 15,226 TEU. Chinese sources now list its length at 1,204 feet (367 meters), with an updated TEU capacity of 15,262.
According to Klaus Rasmussen, Head of Projects and PVU Sales at MAN PrimeServ, retrofitting the MAN B&W engine was made efficient by its dual-fuel ready design. However, Maersk faced challenges in adding a new methanol fuel line alongside the conventional fuel line, which was accomplished with assistance from Alfa Laval. Chengxi Walxin Special Coatings Co. provided a 2,800-square-meter inorganic zinc coating for the methanol tank, ensuring durability and safety.
Fueled with methanol in mid-October, the Maersk Halifax underwent successful sea trials from October 16 to 20 and left Shanghai on November 5, making stops in China and South Korea before crossing the Pacific Ocean en route to APM Terminals Lazaro Cardenas in Mexico.
Maersk has announced plans to expand this retrofit project to additional ships in the same class, with the next conversion slated for 2027. Meanwhile, other major carriers, including COSCO, CMA CGM, and Seaspan in partnership with Hapag-Lloyd, are advancing their own methanol conversion projects. Notably, Shanghai COSCO Shipping Heavy Industry recently began the first conversion of a 20,000 TEU COSCO containership, incorporating both MAN S90 and Wärtsilä W32 engines, further underscoring the industry’s move toward sustainable fuel technology.
Moving The Sea With Us!
Contact us today: +351 265 544 370 or go to Contacts Page
Email: sales@partyard.eu
GreenShipping #SustainableShipping #MethanolFuel #DualFuelTechnology #Maersk #ShipConversion #EcoFriendlyShipping #MarineInnovation #FutureOfShipping #CleanEnergy #ShippingSustainability #CarbonReduction #AlternativeFuels #ShippingIndustry #MarineEngineering #ZeroEmissions #MaritimeNews #MethanolConversion #OceanTransport
