Maersk (A.P. Moller – Maersk) successfully completed the first commercial ethanol bunkering for the deep-sea container ship Tangier Maersk, which utilizes dual-fuel alcohol technology, using corn-produced ethanol from the United States. This operation is recorded as the first ship-to-ship ethanol bunkering in the United States and demonstrates Maersk's ongoing efforts to explore various fuel pathways for the future of maritime transportation.
Bunkering Operation Details
The bunkering operation, which utilized 100% corn-produced ethanol from the U.S., is considered one of the key steps in the effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the maritime transportation industry. This project also allows Maersk to gain practical experience in the use of alternative fuels in commercial transportation. This bunkering, conducted in the United States, provides valuable insights into operational requirements, infrastructure, supply, and supply chain for using ethanol as a marine fuel.
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Implications and Future of Marine Fuels
While ethanol benefits from a strong production base and existing infrastructure, future scalable fuel pathways are heavily dependent on fuel availability, regulations, and operational readiness across the entire marine value chain. This bunkering operation on the Tangier Maersk brings valuable experience in using alternative fuels in commercial transportation and could help develop more sustainable supply chains. Ditlev Blicher, Maersk's regional president for North America, emphasized that this operation represents Maersk's ongoing commitment to exploring and advancing credible pathways for progress in energy transition in the transportation industry.
This operation builds on previous ethanol bunkering experiences with the Laura Maersk and Antonia Maersk ships and is regarded as an important step towards advancing sustainable fuels in the maritime transportation industry.
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