A.P. Moller-Maersk

CPH: MAERSK-B55Mixed / Improving· Provisional

0 followersShipping·Copenhagen, Denmark·Founded 1904

www.maersk.com

One of the world's largest container shipping operators, pursuing a 2040 net-zero target and deploying methanol-powered vessels while still operating a predominantly fossil-fuel fleet.

55/100

Mixed / Improving· Provisional

ClimateTicker Green Score · how it's calculated

Greenwashing risk: mediumData confidence: high

Why it's on ClimateTicker

Maersk is the maritime sector's most credible decarbonization frontrunner — the first shipping company with SBTi-validated 1.5°C-aligned targets, a completed 18-vessel green methanol fleet, and CSRD-aligned reporting earning a CDP 'A' score. However, it remains overwhelmingly a fossil-fuel operator: absolute GHG emissions rose in 2024 due to Red Sea re-routing, the methanol fleet is a small fraction of 700+ vessels, and green fuel supply at scale remains uncertain. Investors should treat Maersk as a genuine transition leader within a deeply hard-to-abate sector, not as a clean company.

laggardMaersk earns revenue primarily from ocean container shipping (transporting goods for global trade customers) and an integrated logistics platform covering terminals, warehousing, and land transport, operating over 700 vessels across 130+ countries.

Commitments & Certifications

CDP: A (Climate), A- (Forest & Water) ↗other: MSCI ESG Rating: AAA (Leader); ISS ESG: Prime B+; Sustainalytics Risk: 23 (Medium) ↗other: CSRD / ESRS compliant — first integrated annual report ↗SBTi: Targets validated — 1.5°C pathway, Net Zero Standard ↗

Controversy & Greenwashing Watch

mediumAbsolute GHG Emissions Rose in 2024 Despite Efficiency Gains

Red Sea crisis forced longer Cape of Good Hope re-routing, pushing absolute Scope 1 and 3 emissions higher in 2024 vs 2023, moving Maersk further from its near-term 2030 SBTi trajectory.source ↗

lowScope 1 Emissions Restatement — Refrigerant Overstatement

Maersk restated 2023 Scope 1 emissions downward by ~1.7 million tonnes CO2e (~5%) after identifying that refrigerant emissions had been systematically overstated, raising questions about prior data quality.source ↗

mediumGreen Methanol Fleet Covers Tiny Share of Total Fleet

The 18 dual-fuel methanol vessels represent only ~2.5% of Maersk's 700+ vessel fleet, meaning the vast majority of operations remain fossil-fuel dependent despite prominent green shipping marketing.source ↗

mediumGreen Fuel Supply Chain Uncertainty

Maersk itself acknowledges that green methanol supply is scarce and costly, with offtake agreements covering only ~50% of dual-fuel fleet demand for 2027, leaving the fuel transition heavily dependent on unproven market and regulatory conditions.source ↗

medium'Carbon Neutral Methanol' Marketing Disputed by Experts

Transport & Environment and other critics argued that Maersk's early 'carbon neutral' vessel claims were overstated because bio-methanol feedstock is not sustainably scalable and e-methanol sourcing from industrial CO2 may not be genuinely climate-neutral.source ↗

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