A.P. Moller – Maersk (Maersk) has completed what it describes as the first commercial ship-to-ship ethanol bunkering operation for a deep-sea container vessel in the US.
The bunkering involved Tangier Maersk, a dual-fuel, alcohol-enabled container vessel, which received US-produced corn ethanol.
The operation is part of Maersk’s wider trials of alternative marine fuels and was intended to provide operational experience across fuel sourcing, infrastructure and supply chain requirements.
Ethanol has an established production base and existing infrastructure, while alcohol-enabled vessel technology provides a route for its use in marine applications. However, the wider adoption of alternative fuels will also depend on availability, regulation and operational readiness across the maritime supply chain.
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Ditlev Blicher, Maersk Regional President for North America, said: “Achieving lower-emission logistics requires turning new technologies into practical, scalable solutions, This bunkering operation aboard Tangier Maersk provides valuable real-world experience with alternative fuels in commercial shipping. The insights gained will help drive the development of more sustainable supply chains.”
The operation follows previous ethanol trials involving Laura Maersk and Antonia Maersk as the company continues to assess potential fuel pathways for shipping’s energy transition.
Maersk said the latest bunkering exercise will provide further insight into the practical requirements for deploying ethanol as a marine fuel at scale.
For more information:
Maersk – https://www.maersk.com/
