Danish shipping company Maersk has passed the halfway mark in a large-scale program to improve the efficiency of its chartered fleet. Around 200 container vessels are being upgraded in cooperation with 50 shipowners, aiming to reduce fuel costs and greenhouse gas emissions.
So far, over 1,500 individual upgrade projects have been completed, with another 1,000 scheduled to finish by 2027. The investment costs are shared between Maersk and the vessel owners.
Upgrades include replacing propellers and bulbous bows to reduce drag, installing devices that recover engine heat, and adding systems to lower auxiliary engine usage. Some vessels are also being modified to carry more cargo.
“Efficiency upgrades are helping us cut emissions in the short term while we prepare for a future with green fuels,” said Ahmed Hassan, Head of Asset Strategy and Strategic Partnerships at Maersk.
More than half of Maersk’s 736 container ships are chartered, making this program a major part of the company’s climate strategy. Maersk aims to reduce direct greenhouse gas emissions by 35% by 2030, compared to 2022, and achieve net-zero emissions by 2040.
Photo: Maersk
