Sustainability report 2013 shows that Maersk Line reduced CO2 by 34%
A.P.Moller – Maersk Group, as an operator in global transport and energy, commits to minimise its impact on the environment through energy efficiency and sound management. According to its latest Sustainability Report, Maersk Line has taken out 34% of the CO2 it emits when shipping a container since 2007. Maersk Line is well on its way to achieving its 40% CO2 reduction target by 2020. With the combined efforts of other players in the value chain, the CO2 footprint of containerised trade can be further improved.
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CO2 performance The A.P. Moller – Maersk Group has achieved a 17%improvement in CO2 efficiency since 2010, mainlydriven by accelerated energy efficiency gains inMaersk Line. As a result, both our relative andabsolute CO2 emissions decreased in 2013. Maersk Line CO2 emissions per container droppedby 12% in 2013. Compared to the 2007 baseline,CO2 emissions per container are down 34%. TheCO2 reduction achieved in 2013 is directly relatedto consistent efforts to reduce fuel costs. HadMaersk Line not achieved this reduction in 2013,their total fuel cost would have been USD 764million higher In 2013, Maersk Line further improved and simplified their network of shipping services. This meant reducing overlapping service and port coverageby deploying fewer but larger vessels while at thesame time sailing these at more fuel-efficientspeeds. Four Triple-E vessels welcomed into the fleet The first four out of 20 Triple-E vessels on orderjoined Maersk Line’s fleet in 2013. These 18,000TEU vessels connect Asia with Europe in anenergy-efficient manner. Previous estimates havefound that the Triple-E vessels could improve CO2efficiency by 50% per container compared to theindustry average on the Asia-Europe trade lane,and early performance figures are in line withthese estimates. |
Fuel efficiency requirements introduced for charter vessels
More than half of Maersk Line’s fuel consumption comes from vessels leased in from third parties. In 2013, performance on energy efficiency was integrated into the contracting process for charter vessels, and fuel efficiency levels are now an integral part of the selection process. As a consequence, Maersk decelected a number of suppliers in 2013.
For Maersk Tankers, every tonne of CO2 cut savesthe company approximately USD 200. Thanks to slow steaming and retrofitting, Maersk Tankershas performed above target and reduced CO2emissions by 19.7% since 2010, and is now closeto meeting its 20% reduction target by 2020. In2013, this helped the Maersk Tankers fleet save133,000 tonnes of fuel oil and 414,000 tonnes ofCO2. Without this reduction in 2013, their total fuelcost would have been USD 81.1 million higher
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Facelift for efficiency During its stay in the dry docks of Qingdao Shipyard in China, the container vessel lies with its old bow dismantled. A bow tha is shaped to allow the vessel to adapt better to current sailing speeds makes a fuel saving of up to 5%. In this way, it s a major contributor to energy- efficient sailing. Then Maersk Line vessels had their bows changed in 2013.
Photo credit:Maersk Also read article: Why 10 of Maersk’s ships are getting a new bulbous bow |
Preparing for stricter SOx regulations
Maersk Line and Maersk Tankers will initially comply by switching to cleaner fuels. Scrubber technologies have proved an unviable solution at this point, especially on existing ships where retrofits are too expensive. With more technological development, it might become an option for new builds. Other solutions such as LNG and biofuels are also being explored.
Complying with 2016 NOx regulation
New ships built after January 1st, 2016 will be required to reduce NOx emisions by 80% when operating within emissions control areas in North America and Caribbean waters and potentially also in Europe. This requires complex in- engine or after-engine treatment systems or a shift to completely different fuels. The Group has been actively exploring these options to meet regulatory and commercial requrements. Maersk concludes that exhaust gas recirculation solutions seem to be the most practical way to meet the requirements for main engines.
Maersk Ingrid – a super fit super tanker
Super tanker Maersk Ingrid stood out in Maersk Tankers’ fleet in 2013. As the pilot ship in the company;s eco-retrofitting programme, Maersk Ingrid had a range of fuel saving technologies installed in early 2013, which has led to fuel performance leadership
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Ballast water Following current legislation, Maersk Line andMaersk Tankers do ballast water exchangesmidway through the journey but this measurewill not suffice in light of anticipated regulatorydevelopments.
Ballast water tanks are filled to add weight to the ship oncecargo has been discharged in order to improve its stability.Ballast water taken from one body of water and dischargedinto another body of water can introduce invasive speciesof aquatic life. |
Further information and data may be found at Maersk Group’s Sustainability Report 2013
