The 16,592 TEU container vessel Maersk Alette arrived at Husky Terminal in Tacoma on 4 September, becoming the largest vessel to call the Northwest Seaport Alliance’s (NWSA’s) South Harbor.
The boxship is also the first dual-fuel vessel capable of sailing on green methanol to have called the gateway.
Kristin Ang, Port of Tacoma Commission President and Co-Chair of NWSA, said, “We offer our congratulations to Maersk, Nike, the Ulsan Port Authority, and all our industry partners who are leading toward cleaner fuel alternatives. This vessel represents a tangible demonstration of the progress being made in developing and deploying sustainable shipping technologies.”
Maersk Alette is the fifth vessel in Maersk’s fleet capable of operating on green methanol and is part of the global transition towards decarbonizing shipping. Green methanol, variants of which can be produced from biomass or renewable energy sources such as wind or solar power, can significantly reduce shippers’ carbon footprints, according to NWSA’s statement.
Hamdi Mohamed, Port of Seattle Commission President and NWSA Co-Chair, commented, “Husky Terminal was modernized in 2018 and will soon be receiving terminal efficiency upgrades through a federal grant as part of the NWSA’s ongoing commitment to providing best-in-class facilities. We are proud that these investments are enabling our gateway to meet the needs of maritime industry today and long into the future.”
