Hapag-Lloyd to retrofit 15 vessels for methanol

Shipping company Hapag-Lloyd is retrofitting 15 vessels powered by Seaspan Corp's conventional S90 engines to dual-fuel engines capable of running on methanol, according to an announcement. The agreement also includes 45 optional engine retrofit solutions.

The conversion will be carried out by MAN PrimeServ, the after-sales division of MAN Energy Solutions. Each conversion is estimated to provide for CO2 reduction of 50,000-70,000 tonnes a year when the vessel is operated on green methanol.

Peter Curtis, Executive Advisor, at Seaspan said, "We believe that retrofitting will be a necessary and major component of both our emissions abatement program, and that of the maritime industry. In addition, this solution creates an effective way to extend operational lifetimes of the existing fleet, deliver fuel flexibility, and avoid unnecessary additional newbuilds."

Hapag-Lloyd has a fleet of 250 containerships having total transport capacity of 1.8 million TEU. The company has announced plans to become a net zero carbon emitter by 2045.

Rival Maersk, which ordered its first methanol-powered ship in 2021, now has 25 such vessels on order. The company has announced plans to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040.

The marine sector accounts for three percent of global greenhouse gas emissions.