Port of Santos, one of the largest commercial ports in Brazil, has recently started ethanol bunkering operations for ships. This development signifies a transition from a pilot model to a regular fuel supply model for vessels.
Bunkering Operation Details
The first ethanol bunkering operation took place on October 19, 2023, when the 13,000 TEU container ship CMA CGM IRON was refueled at Port of Santos. This ship is equipped with the Everllence tri-fuel engine, which is claimed to be the first engine in the world officially capable of operating on ethanol.
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This bunkering operation followed a pilot operation in July, which involved collaboration between CMA CGM, Copersucar, Bunker One, AGEO Terminais, and Santos Brasil, as well as the Port of Santos Authority (APS). According to Giovani Grassi, CEO of CMA CGM Brazil, this new phase represents the possibility of safely and reliably integrating ethanol into maritime operations commercially.
Ethanol Supply and Storage
The ethanol used in this operation is supplied by Copersucar's affiliated plants and transported to Port of Santos by Evolua Etanol (the commercial branch of Copersucar). This fuel is stored at the port by AGEO Terminais, a liquid storage operator.
During the bunkering phase conducted at the Santos Brasil terminal, Bunker One has established a protocol that addresses the low flash point of this fuel. This protocol is recognized as the first of its kind in Latin America.
According to statistics released by the DNV classification society, the Port of Santos Authority has announced that 159 vessels are currently operating with engines capable of using methanol and ethanol, and over 450 new ships with the same technology will join the seas by 2030.
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