Maersk Completes First U.S. Ethanol Bunkering of a Deep-Sea Container Vessel
Maersk has reached another milestone in its exploration of alternative marine fuels, completing the first commercial ship-to-ship ethanol bunkering of a deep-sea container vessel in the United States.
The operation involved Tangier Maersk, a dual-fuel alcohol-enabled container vessel, which was bunkered with 100% U.S.-produced corn ethanol. The initiative provided Maersk with valuable real-world experience in areas such as fuel sourcing, infrastructure, operational readiness and supply chain requirements.
Ethanol already benefits from an established production base and infrastructure, while its compatibility with alcohol-enabled vessel technology could make it another potential option in shipping’s future fuel mix.
The milestone builds on previous ethanol trials aboard Laura Maersk and Antonia Maersk and forms part of Maersk’s broader strategy of exploring multiple fuel pathways as the shipping industry works toward lower-emission operations.
The project demonstrates how major shipping companies are increasingly moving beyond trials and exploring how alternative fuels can be integrated into real commercial operations.
Image source: maersk.com