Fri 27 Jan 2012 17:20

Maersk ships switch to MGO in Virginia


Fuel switch initiative to run for thirteen months and involve 41 Maersk Line vessels.



Maersk Line has announced that all its containerships calling at the Port of Virginia, United States, will switch to low-sulphur fuel while at berth from next month.

The shipping line is participating in the fuel switch program sponsored by the Commonwealth of Virginia through the Virginia Port Authority (VPA) and the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (VDEQ), as well as the U.S. Department of Transportation.

The initiative is aimed at improving air quality in the greater Hampton Roads area by reducing emissions of sulphur, nitrogen oxides and particulate matter.

Commenting on the initiative, Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell said: "The Port of Virginia fuel switch is the first such initiative in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast, and its implementation will create immediate benefits to the region by reducing emissions and improving air quality,”

"The partnership with Maersk Line represents a model that applies environmentally-conscious business practices while keeping our region’s economy moving forward," added McDonnell.

The fuel switch program will run for thirteen months and involve 41 Maersk Line ships making over 210 port calls. While at berth for the loading and discharge of cargo, Maersk Line vessels will be powered by auxiliary engines running on low-sulphur marine gas oil (MGO).

Low-sulfur MGO contains 90-95% less sulphur than typical marine fuel, which will reduce emissions of sulfur oxides (SOx) by an estimated 20 metric tonnes in the first six months of the program. Over the same period, emissions of particulate matter are expected to decline by 86%, or 1.4 metric tonnes, and nitrogen oxides by 6%, or approximately 0.15 metric tonnes.

Norfolk-based Maersk Line Limited will have 18 ships participating in the program. As the owner and operator of U.S. flag vessels within the Maersk Group, Maersk Line Limited will account for 53% of the port calls.

"We are pleased to participate in an effort that will improve air quality in our hometown," said John Reinhart, president and chief executive officer at Maersk Line Limited. "The collaboration with VPA and VDEQ enabled the rapid startup of a program that will provide real environmental and health benefits to our community."

Since 2006, Maersk Line has implemented similar projects in Texas, California, and the Pacific Northwest to reduce emissions by switching to low-sulphur fuel.

The Port of Virginia fuel switch represents the latest step in Maersk Line’s "Drive to Zero SOx" program, and is one of two fuel switch initiatives being implemented this month. The other is in Gothenburg, Sweden.

"Maersk Line is committed to leadership in environmental performance," said Al Gebhardt, head of Maersk Line’s North American liner operations. "We are very excited about the positive impact of this program, and appreciate the partnership with the Virginia Port Authority and others who made it possible."


Marcus Møller, Bunker Trader at Malik Supply. Malik Supply promotes trainee to bunker trader role  

Marcus Møller completes internal training programme.

Orchid Leader dual-fuel car carrier at Fuzhou Port. Ship deployed for new Middle East route is largest dual-fuel car carrier to berth at Fuzhou  

New service cuts logistics time by 50% for Chinese auto exports to Middle East.

Naming ceremony of CMA CGM Helium. CMA CGM names dual-fuel methanol vessel for Asia-Mediterranean service  

The CMA CGM Helium has been deployed on the Phoenician Express route connecting multiple regions.

NYK Line logo. Tug becomes world's first ammonia-fuelled vessel to receive environmental credit certification  

Third-party validation enables Book & Claim allocation to help reduce customers' Scope 3 emissions.

CMA CGM LNG-powered containership illustration. CMA CGM signs letter of intent for six LNG-powered containerships from Indian shipyard  

French shipping group becomes first international carrier to order LNG vessels from India.

LNG carrier Coral Energy. Klaipėda LNG terminal completes Baltic's first virtual biomethane liquefaction  

Operation involved bio-LNG being loaded onto gas carrier with virtual biomethane liquefaction at terminal.

OCI Global and Victrol MoU signing. OCI Global and Victrol partner to develop ammonia bunkering supply chain in Netherlands and Belgium  

Companies sign MoU to create end-to-end clean ammonia fuel infrastructure across Benelux ports.

Container ship UNI-ASSURE Panama. Green fuel producers urge IMO to adopt Net-Zero Framework with e-fuel incentives  

Twenty companies call for policy certainty ahead of extraordinary IMO session this week.

Illustration of eMethanol Production Process by Liquid Wind. Swedish funding secured for e-methanol plant pre-engineering  

Swedish Energy Agency backs Örnsköldsvik e-fuel facility through green transition programme.

Render of Petroineos’ new bunker vessel for southern France. Petroineos orders two new bunker vessels for southern France operations  

Vessels will handle conventional and low-carbon fuels, including biofuels and e-methanol, from 2028.