Those planning to tour the new Maersk green cargo ship on Wednesday received a pre-dawn email saying the tours were canceled. The ship left port a few hours later.
Few details were available but the email from Maersk indicated planned protests at the site prompted the decision.
“We have recently learned that activist groups are planning protests at our event site, and the security assessment indicates a risk that the protests could escalate to a level that would disrupt the event and necessitate a police response,” said the email, which was sent out at around 1 a.m. Wednesday.
“We are truly sorry to have to inform you that we see no other option than to cancel the public tours intended for August 28 of our newest dual-fuel methanol vessel Alette Mærsk,” the email added. “We deeply apologize for any inconvenience the cancellation may cause.”
Local authorities recommended the cancelation, the email said.
Maersk has instead provided an online link for a behind-the-scenes video of one of the Alette’s sister ships, the Ane Maersk.
“We very much regret this situation as we had been looking forward to opening the doors to the public and showing you around this magnificent vessel – the first of its kind to call the United States, sailing on green methanol on her maiden voyage from China to Los Angeles,” the email said. “We have been in awe of the huge interest from so many people in the Los Angeles area wanting to visit the vessel and experience first-hand this very tangible proof of the green transition and a crucial step towards a greener future for our planet.
“We thank you for showing an interest in our journey towards decarbonizing shipping and logistics,” the email added, “a journey that is of outmost importance to A.P. Møller-Maersk – and once again apologize for the inconvenience following the cancellation of the event.”
A Maersk spokesperson provided a written comment only, quoting from the email.
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