Maersk heads zero-carbon drive in shipping sector with $60 million research center
The logo of of the company A.P. Moeller - Maersk is pictured after Bo Cerup-Simonsen, the head of the new independent global CO2 institute, part of the company A.P. Moeller - Maersk presented the institute during a news conference at the headquarters of the company, in Copenhagen, Denmark June 25, 2020. Ritzau Scanpix/via REUTERS
The world's largest container shipper, A.P. Moller-Maersk <MAERSKB.CO>, will team up with industry majors to set up a research center in Denmark with the aim of reducing carbon emissions in the shipping industry.
Denmark's Maersk, which aims to be carbon-neutral by 2050, said on Thursday the research center would combine knowledge from industry, academia and regulators towards "decarbonizing" the industry by developing carbon-neutral fuel and technologies.
Bo Cerup-Simonsen, the head of the new independent global CO2 institute, part of the company A.P. Moeller - Maersk presents the institute during a news conference at the headquarters of the company, in Copenhagen, Denmark June 25, 2020. Ritzau Scanpix/via REUTERS
The shipping industry, which carries around 80% of global trade and accounts for around 3% of global carbon emissions, pledged last year to have ships and marine fuels with zero carbon emissions ready by 2030.
The move would be funded by Maersk's majority owner, the A.P. Moller Foundation, which has donated 400 million Danish crowns ($60.36 million) towards building the Copenhagen-based research hub set to initially employ 100 people, Maersk said.
Denmark, which has one of the world's most ambitious climate goals of cutting emissions by 70% by 2030, is home to renewable energy majors like wind farm developer Orsted <ORSTED.CO> and turbine maker Vestas <VWS.CO>.
The logo of of the company A.P. Moeller - Maersk is pictured after Bo Cerup-Simonsen, the head of the new independent global CO2 institute, part of the company A.P. Moeller - Maersk presented the institute during a news conference at the headquarters of the company, in Copenhagen, Denmark June 25, 2020. Ritzau Scanpix/via REUTERS
"With this donation, The A. P. Moller Foundation wishes to support the efforts to solve the climate issue in global shipping," chairman of the foundation's board, Ane Uggla, said.
The center, which would be an independent nonprofit organization, is founded by shipping firms Maersk and NYK Lines as well as Siemens Energy, MAN Energy Solutions <MANG.DE>, ABS, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries <7011.T> and trading conglomerate Cargill Inc.
Bo Cerup-Simonsen, the head of the new independent global CO2 institute, part of the company A.P. Moeller - Maersk presents the institute during a news conference at the headquarters of the company, in Copenhagen, Denmark June 25, 2020. Ritzau Scanpix/via REUTERS
(Reporting by Nikolaj Skydsgaard in Copenhagen; Editing by Matthew Lewis)
A seagull steals a croissant as Bo Cerup-Simonsen the head of the new independent global CO2 institute, part of the company A.P. Moeller - Maersk walks prior presenting the institute during a news conference at the headquarters of the company, in Copenhagen, Denmark June 25, 2020. The shipping industry accounts for about three percent of the world's CO2 emissions. Ritzau Scanpix/via REUTERS Bo Cerup-Simonsen, the head of the new independent global CO2 institute, part of the company A.P. Moeller - Maersk presents the institute during a news conference at the headquarters of the company, in Copenhagen, Denmark June 25, 2020. Ritzau Scanpix/via REUTERS The logo of of the company A.P. Moeller - Maersk is pictured after Bo Cerup-Simonsen, the head of the new independent global CO2 institute, part of the company A.P. Moeller - Maersk presented the institute during a news conference at the headquarters of the company, in Copenhagen, Denmark June 25, 2020. Ritzau Scanpix/via REUTERS Bo Cerup-Simonsen, the head of the new independent global CO2 institute, part of the company A.P. Moeller - Maersk presents the institute during a news conference at the headquarters of the company, in Copenhagen, Denmark June 25, 2020. Ritzau Scanpix/via REUTERS Bo Cerup-Simonsen, the head of the new independent global CO2 institute, part of the company A.P. Moeller - Maersk walks prior presenting the institute during a news conference at the headquarters of the company, in Copenhagen, Denmark June 25, 2020. Ritzau Scanpix/via REUTERS Bo Cerup-Simonsen, the head of the new independent global CO2 institute, part of the company A.P. Moeller - Maersk presents the institute during a news conference at the headquarters of the company, in Copenhagen, Denmark June 25, 2020. Ritzau Scanpix/via REUTERS Bo Cerup-Simonsen, the head of the new independent global CO2 institute, part of the company A.P. Moeller - Maersk presents the institute during a news conference at the headquarters of the company, in Copenhagen, Denmark June 25, 2020. Ritzau Scanpix/via REUTERS Bo Cerup-Simonsen, the head of the new independent global CO2 institute, part of the company A.P. Moeller - Maersk presents the institute during a news conference at the headquarters of the company, in Copenhagen, Denmark June 25, 2020. Ritzau Scanpix/via REUTERS
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