WinGD has registered the first operation of its X-DF-M/E alcohol engine using ethanol fuel. The 9,000 TEU container ship Tangier Maersk, owned by Maersk Line, traveled from the port of Houston to New York using ethanol fuel.
Fueling Operation Details
The ship was fueled in late September at the port of Houston, with the world's largest producer of bioethanol, POET, supplying the necessary fuel for the WinGD X82DF-M engine. This event is considered the first marine fueling with a 100 percent bioethanol blend in the United States and also the first fueling in service of the WinGD engine with ethanol fuel.
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Developments in the Maritime Industry
This operation signifies an increased availability of bioethanol in marine markets. POET alone produces 3 billion gallons of bioethanol annually at 35 production sites. The journey of the Tangier Maersk ship also marks a milestone in the operational records of the WinGD alcohol fuel engine platform. The first X-DF-M/E engine capable of using methanol was commissioned in 2025, and this year, multi-fuel capability has been added to the platform, allowing both methanol and ethanol to be used on six sister ships ordered by Maersk.
Sebastian Henzel, Vice President of Research and Development at WinGD, stated: "The use of bioethanol as marine fuel for WinGD is a natural progression following the successful experience with methanol on the same engine platform. This beginning is the result of Maersk's strong commitment to endorsing the use of this low-carbon and cost-effective fuel, enabling us to validate important operational and safety performance."
The successful fueling operation was the result of strong collaboration among several partners; Maersk provided the ship, Kirby Corporation handled transportation and fueling, and the port of Houston oversaw port coordination. Additionally, the United States Coast Guard supported the project by confirming compliance with legal requirements for conducting fueling operations.
But this is just the beginning of the story. Now, due to the chemical similarities between methanol and ethanol, both can be used in WinGD's X-DF-M/E engines. This flexibility allows operators to switch between the two fuels depending on greenhouse gas reduction needs, costs, and fuel availability, thereby facilitating the transition towards zero emissions in international shipping.
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