Maersk is making a $1.4 billion investment in green ships. Maersk A/S has ordered eight new vessels that cost $175 million each, that can be driven by neatly made methanol instead of oil-based fuel. By 2050, the United Nations wants shipping’s total greenhouse gas to at least halve relative to 2008. Last year, IMO rules were introduced to control air pollution by limiting the sulfur content of marine fuel.

Maersk is not the only carrier to do the change. Euronav NV has also ordered new ships able to run on ammonia or liquefied natural gas. Cargill has said it is planning to add wing sails to some of its ships. Maersk had said all new-build vessels in its ownership will be able to use carbon-neutral fuels. It also declared the launch in 2023 of a small container vessel that will run on clean versions of methanol.

“This is a signal to fuel producers that market demand for the green fuels is rising at speed,” said Maersk’s Chief Executive Officer, Soren Skou. The company’s biggest customers have set zero-carbon targets for their supply chains or are in the process of doing so, according to a statement.