NTPC and Chidambaranar Port Join Forces to Establish a Green Hydrogen Hub
In a significant stride towards sustainable energy production, NTPC Green Energy Ltd (NGEL), a subsidiary of NTPC Ltd, has inked a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority (VOCPA) to establish a green hydrogen hub at VOCPA in Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu.
This strategic partnership, as outlined in the MoU, marks the collaboration between NGEL and VOCPA to develop a green hydrogen hub dedicated to the production of environmentally friendly hydrogen and its derivatives, including green ammonia and green methanol. These sustainable fuels will be manufactured on the land allocated by VOCPA and will cater to both domestic and export markets.
Maersk and Amazon’s Eco-Friendly Shipping Agreement Finalized
A.P. Moller – Maersk (Maersk) and Amazon have formally solidified their agreement for the period spanning 2023-2024. This agreement focuses on the transportation of 20,000 FFE (Fifty Foot Equivalent) containers using green biofuel through Maersk’s “ECO Delivery” ocean product offering. This substantial initiative by Maersk is anticipated to result in a reduction of approximately 44,600 metric tons of CO2e compared to the use of standard bunker fuel—an environmental impact roughly equivalent to saving 50 million pounds of coal. Remarkably, this marks the fourth consecutive year that Amazon and Maersk have collaborated to employ low greenhouse gas (GHG) fuel options for container shipping.
Adam Baker, Vice President of Global Transportation at Amazon, expressed his enthusiasm for the collaboration, highlighting Maersk’s commitment to decarbonizing maritime shipping. “We’re proud to collaborate with Maersk, a Climate Pledge signatory and leader in shipping logistics, on actionable solutions to decarbonize maritime shipping,” said Baker. “We’re excited to have containers on Maersk’s first methanol-enabled feeder vessel and to continue using their biofuel.”
MSC Cruises Takes Steps to Reduce Emissions Following Net-Zero Achievement
MSC Cruises is embarking on a mission to reduce the emissions intensity across its fleet of ships after achieving a groundbreaking milestone with its first net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions cruise voyage. This pioneering journey took place in June 2023 aboard MSC Cruises’ newest vessel, the MSC Euribia, powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG). The voyage, which saw the ship sail from Saint-Nazaire in France to Copenhagen in Denmark, demonstrated impressive results, including a total fuel savings of 43 tonnes. This achievement was made possible through optimization and energy efficiency measures such as adjusted speeds and routing, enabling the vessel to outperform its virtual onshore counterpart by 11 percent.
Linden Coppell, Vice President of Sustainability and Environmental, Social, and Governance at MSC Cruises, hailed the success of the MSC Euribia’s voyage as a significant accomplishment and emphasized that net-zero GHG emissions cruising is attainable today, well ahead of the industry’s 2050 decarbonization target. Coppell also emphasized the importance of regulatory and financial incentives for fuel producers to scale up the production of necessary fuels, alongside technological advancements, to facilitate the maritime industry’s journey toward decarbonization.
Equinor to Supply Methanol for Maersk’s Innovative Containership
Danish shipping company A.P. Moller – Maersk has announced a strategic agreement with Norwegian energy giant Equinor to secure a supply of methanol for its cutting-edge methanol-enabled feeder vessel. This arrangement ensures a reliable source of green methanol for the ship during its initial operational months, starting from September 2023 and extending into the first half of 2024. The vessel, boasting a capacity of 2,100 TEUs (Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units), was constructed at Hyundai Mipo Dockyard and Hyundai Heavy Industries. It features dual-fuel main and auxiliary engines from MAN Energy Solutions, capable of operating on cleaner-burning methanol. Bunkering for the green methanol will take place in Rotterdam, marking another significant step towards sustainable shipping practices.
