5 Jul 2022

Together with partners - MPC Container Ships ASA and MPC Capital AG, Topeka has contracted two 1300 TEU carbon neutral container vessels.

Both vessels will be delivered in 2024 and immediately move into long-term contracts with North Sea Container Line.

Carbon neutral container vessels

Benefitting from dramatically reduced emissions, the two new-build ships will replace three of North Sea Container Line’s (NCL) current diesel-powered vessels, which will be phased out of operations. 

Technical management will be done by Wilhelmsen Ahrenkiel Ship Management, making them one of the first ship managers to gain experience and competence in the use of methanol as fuel on container ships. 

Decarbonisation of shipping

By using the available technology, Topeka’s ambition is to decarbonise shipping

By using the available technology, Topeka’s ambition is to decarbonise shipping.

The two new vessels will run on methanol, which is regarded as a good solution in this case, carrying heavy loads along the Norwegian coast and onward to the European continent, covering 3000 nautical miles with 18,000 deadweight tons.

With green methanol, the two vessels offer a carbon-neutral logistic solution from Norway to the European market. 

Zero-emission solutions

While methanol was selected as the zero-emission solution for this project, Topeka is also developing projects for cargo owners with other energy carriers such as ammonia, pure hydrogen or batteries.

As an example, the Topeka project named 'base-to-base' will use hydrogen and fuel cells.

Shaping the maritime industry

Topeka is Wilhelmsen’s route to zero emission transport and supports the maritime group’s ongoing commitment to shaping the maritime industry.

This methanol project is an important stepping stone towards that aim, dramatically increasing green sailing distances. For reference, 3,000 nautical miles is a standard Atlantic crossing from England to New York.