HHLA TK Estonia welcomed the first container vessel powered by crude methanol in the Estonian port of Muuga. The Eco Maestro from X-Press Feeder sails on the Green Baltic X-Press route, starting its journey from Rotterdam, passing through Antwerp, Klaipeda, Riga and the port of Muuga, before heading back to Rotterdam.

It is the first time that a methanol ship is moored in Muuga. The Eco Maestro is refuelled with green methanol, a renewable fuel that produces up to 65 percent less greenhouse gases than conventional marine fuel. Green methanol is conventionally produced either from biomass or from captured CO₂emissions.

Riia Sillave, CEO of HHLA TK Estonia: “X-Press Feeders started a regular service to our container terminal this spring, with the aim of transferring its fleet of methanol-powered vessels to the Baltic Sea. The Eco Maestro is the first of 14 ordered methanol vessels. We are delighted to have customers that follow a sustainability roadmap and share our ambitions for a greener logistics industry.”

Margus Vihman, CCO of the Port of Tallinn: “Eco Maestro is the first of its kind to arrive in Estonia but will certainly not be the last. The development of green technologies and sustainable solutions in shipping will support the wider goal of Port of Tallinn to achieve climate neutrality and create new business opportunities for the logistics sector. With the arrival of the Eco Maestro and its route, Estonian exporters and importers will not only benefit from environmental friendliness, but also from additional regularity and convenience in transporting their goods to and from Europe.”

The Eco Maestro flies the Maltese flag and is owned by Singaporean company X-Press Feeder.