Shipping giant A.P. Moller-Maersk has hinted at using liquefied natural gas (LNG) to power some of its vessels after years of avoiding the alternative fuel, with the company moving to a multi-fuel strategy in its fleet renewal plan. The plan is a surprise because the Danish group had forged ahead as proponents of methanol fueling.

The company revealed that its next batch of 50-60 new-build and chartered dual-fuel vessels would include a mix of methanol and LNG-capable propulsion systems, a change in course from the operator’s heavy investment in methanol as its next-generation sustainable fuel.

However, a spokesperson reiterated it was not Maersk’s intention to run the vessels on LNG, but that it could not rule out the future use of the fuel, with bio-LNG alternatives for which it has already begun the procurement process.

CEO Vincent Clerc added that he expected a mix of fuels to be used in the shipping market for a time before the industry was able to settle on one as the best alternative to conventional marine gas oil, he said: “It would be risky for us as a company to bet only on one technology.”

As the company is in the process of finalizing agreements, Maersk said the exact split of propulsion systems used on the new fleet would be determined further down the line, based on future regulatory frameworks and green fuel supplies.