Harwich Haven Authority welcome the Laura Maersk
29 September 2023
Harwich Haven Authority are excited to welcome the Laura Maersk to our Haven today. This heralds a landmark moment in the drive by the Authority to encourage all Port Operators and Shipping Lines to convert over to alternative fuels as part of our commitment to achieve Carbon Net Zero by 2035.
The Laura Maersk is the world’s first green methanol enabled container vessel, making its first call at the Port of Felixstowe on 29 September 2023. Laura Maersk will be met by both our Pilot and Marine Director (Harbour Master) in our launch vessels, which are run on Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil (HVO) fuel. Laura will be safely escorted into Port with Svitzer tugs, which are also committed to using HVO fuel.
This puts us very much on the map as a Green Port destination for future vessel calls from around the world.
Will Barker (Marine Director and Harbour Master) said:
“I am very excited to be personally going out to meet the Laura Maersk with our Pilot and boat crew today to ensure safe navigation into Port. It is essential for shipping lines to embrace new technology to transition towards Net-Zero carbon emissions, which we fully support and encourage as a Harbour Authority.”
Marcus Pearson (ESG Director) said:
“As the Harbour Authority, we have already achieved a 50% reduction in our carbon emissions against our 2018 baseline. This has been achieved through initiatives that include running our pilot vessels and marine craft on HVO fuel. In addition to this we are actively reviewing alternative ‘greener’ powered vessel options for the future and influencing our supply chain. The Laura Maersk vessel call today marks a step change in worldwide container shipping with its drive to reduce carbon. This technology is in line with our recently launched ESG Strategy that provides a roadmap to Net Zero. This includes our responsibility as a trust port to influence Port Operators and businesses within the Haven to act more sustainably.”
For further information contact: Marcus Pearson, Interim ESG Director, Harwich Haven Authority – 01255 448728 / Email: [email protected]
