US-based SunGas Renewables inks letter of intent with Danish giant
Maersk enters another partnership in its pursuit of securing green methanol supplies, a key part of its ambitious decarbonisation strategy. Operations are expected to start in 2026, with an annual production capacity of 390,000 tonnes.
MAERSK HAS 19 METHANOL-ENABLED BOXSHIPS ON ORDER. Source: Maersk
MAERSK has announced another partnership in its race to guarantee green methanol supplies for its fleet of methanol-fuelled newbuildings.
The Danish giant has entered a letter of intent with US-based SunGas Renewables for the supply of green methanol from multiple facilities to be developed by SunGas.
The deal will see Maersk take all the green methanol SunGas produces in its facilities, with the first delivery expected to begin operating in 2026 at a production capacity of about 390,000 tonnes annually.
SunGas’ facilities will utilise the company's flagship ‘System 1000’ platform to convert sustainability sourced residues of forestry and wood products into green methanol.
Maersk has 19 methanol-enabled containership vessels on order, and securing sufficient green fuels for its new buildings has become a key concern for the company.
Head of decarbonisation Morten Christiansen said last month that the company expects it will need 5m tonnes of green fuels by 2030.
“Securing green marine fuels at a global scale within this decade will require rapid scale up of green methanol production capacity using many technology and feedstock pathways,” said Maersk head of green sourcing Emma Mazhari. “We are pleased to welcome SunGas Renewables as a strategic partner in our efforts to achieve our goal of net zero greenhouse gas emissions in 2040 across our business, and to ensure meaningful progress is made within this decade in line with the Paris Agreement.”SunGas joines eight other companies that have partnered up with Maersk to supply it with green methanol. The other partners are Carbon Sink, CIMC ENRIC, Debo, European Energy, Green Technology Bank, Orsted, Proman and Wastefuel.
“Our partnership with Maersk marks an important milestone for SunGas as we continue our mission to make a global impact in the energy transition,” said chief executive Robert Rigdon. “We applaud Maersk’s leadership in catalysing decarbonisation of the entire marine shipping industry and look forward to working together to accelerate growth of production capacity for green methanol marine fuels.”