SIMIC

If done, the carbon-neutral vessel would be seven years ahead of schedule, as it was previously aimed to be done by 2030. The 2,000-TEU vessel will be powered by carbon-neutral methanol.

"While the vessel will be able to operate on standard VLSFO, the plan is to operate the vessel on carbon neutral methanol or sustainable bio-methanol from day one," said Maersk.

The shipping represents three per cent of total EU greenhouse gas emissions, prompting the industry to decarbonise.

The UN's International Maritime Organisation (IMO) has set the goal of reducing the industry's emissions 50 per cent by 2050 compared to 2008. IMO also aims to reduce the carbon intensity of emissions 40 per cent by 2030 and 70 per cent by 2050.

"Our ambition to have a carbon-neutral fleet by 2050 was a moonshot when we announced in 2018. Today we see it as a challenging, yet achievable target to reach. Our ambition is to lead the way in decarbonising global logistics," said AP Moller-Maersk CEO Soren Skou.