The first methanol-fueled container ship to call at the Port of Los Angeles — or in the U.S., for that matter — will host public tours on Wednesday, Aug. 28, following two days of media events.
Only the Wednesday tour is open to the public — but those reservations are now closed.
Still, this is the fifth container vessel in A.P. Moller – Maersk’s fleet that can sail on green methanol, an alternative to conventional bunker oil. Maersk is studying various alternative fuels in pursuit of its goal to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040.
The dual-fuel engine runs on green methanol as well as traditional marine fuels.
It is the fourth ship in a fleet of 18 “All the Way to Zero” cargo vessels planned and on order by A.P. Moller-Maersk.
The ship arrived in port several days ago and dropped off cargo at APM Terminals Pier 400.
Festivities open to media early in the coming week include announcing a name for the vessel.
The vessel is larger than most currently sailing the seas, measuring about 1,148 feet long and 175 feet wide.
It contains 10 cargo holds and carries 16,592 TEUs, or twenty-foot-equivalent container units.
The ship is part of the effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Ocean-going vessels have posed a particular challenge as there is no uniform regulation they fall under and the ships, which are costly to replace, remain in service for long periods.
Heavy security will surround the vessel when it is docked at the Outer Harbor in San Pedro, preventing public access.
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