Hapag concludes long-term agreement for green methanol

Hapag-Lloyd has reached an agreement with Goldwind, a global clean energy partner headquartered in Beijing, China, to supply 250,000 tons of green methanol per year.

The green methanol will consist of a mixture of bio- and e-methanol, ensuring a reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by at least 70 percent and meeting all current sustainability certification requirements, according to an official statement from Hapag.

“As part of our 2030 Strategy, we are fully committed to the 1.5 degree target of the Paris Agreement and thus also to sustainable investments,” says Rolf Habben Jansen, CEO of Hapag-Lloyd. “With this agreement, we are securing a significant share of our green fuel needs. This brings us an important step closer to our goal of achieving net-zero fleet operations by 2045. It is and remains our aim to play a leading role in the transformation of the liner shipping industry.”

By 2030, Hapag-Lloyd wants to reduce the fleet’s absolute greenhouse gas emissions by around a third compared to 2022. Compared to conventional fuels, the amount of green methanol ordered can save a total of up to 400,000 tons of CO2e emissions in fleet operations per year, the publication added.

Goldwind plans to build a new green methanol factory adjacent to its existing project in Hinggan League, China. Meanwhile, Goldwind is also expected to deliver early volumes in 2026.

“We are honored to have reached this agreement with Hapag-Lloyd,” added Wu Gang, CEO of Goldwind. “This collaboration proves once again that Goldwind can win the trust of one of the most important shipping companies.” We are grateful for the opportunity to become a strong decarbonization partner of Hapag-Lloyd, which strives for carbon neutrality ahead of the shipping industry’s goals and works closely with the Goldwind’s corporate vision matches. Goldwind greatly appreciates this support and looks forward to deepening our collaboration.”

The five 10,100 TEU charter ships that Hapag-Lloyd and Seaspan will convert to suitable methanol dual-fuel propulsion in 2026 will be powered by green methanol. In addition to the investment decision announced on November 6th for 24 new container ships with low-emission dual-fuel liquefied natural gas engines, the investment in green methanol is a further step in Hapag-Lloyd’s efforts to prepare for a multi-fuel future and to decarbonize to advance liner shipping, the statement continues.