Maersk has successfully retrofitted the Maersk Halifax, a 2017-built containership, to operate on methanol fuel, marking a significant milestone in the shipping industry’s move toward cleaner energy. The extensive 88-day retrofit, completed in late October at Zhoushan Xinya Shipyard in China, included installing methanol-compatible fuel systems, a fuel preparation room, and lengthening the hull by 15 meters, increasing capacity to 15,690 TEU.
MAN Energy Solutions carried out the engine conversion, enabling dual-fuel methanol operation. The ship has since returned to service on Maersk’s Trans-Pacific trade route. This retrofit aligns with Maersk’s climate goals of achieving net-zero emissions by 2040 and meeting 2030 targets under the Paris Agreement.
