Exploring Ethanol's Potential in Shipping

(Maersk Mc-Kinney Møller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping) As the shipping industry seeks pathways to decarbonization, access to scalable low-emissions fuels remains one of the key challenges. While fuels such as methanol and ammonia continue to gain momentum, interest is growing in ethanol's potential as a near- and medium-term contributor to the maritime energy transition, supported by existing production capacity, established supply chains, and the potential to leverage parts of today's fuel infrastructure with relatively limited adaptation.

In this report, the Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping (MMMCZCS) examines ethanol's technical usability as a marine fuel. Drawing on laboratory testing, industry developments, and techno-economic analysis, the report explores how ethanol could be applied across different vessel and engine types, as well as the technical, operational, and safety considerations that must be addressed.

The report provides insights into emerging use cases, current challenges, and potential pathways for implementation, offering stakeholders a deeper understanding of ethanol's role in the future fuel landscape.

Excerpt from Energy.AgWired.com: “Ethanol is emerging as a technically viable complementary fuel within the methanol pathway, supported by growing evidence that methanol dual-fuel engines can operate on ethanol with only limited adjustments,” the report states. “Ethanol’s combustion behavior, emissions profile, and material compatibility closely mirror those of methanol, while ethanol’s higher energy density reduces onboard storage needs.”

According to marine industry sources, more than 110 methanol-capable ships are already in operation worldwide, with roughly 300 more on order. Using ethanol blends in these ships could create an enormous new market opportunity for the global ethanol industry and farmers who grow biofuel feedstocks, while simultaneously helping to slash emissions from the maritime sector. RFA estimates that if the current fleet of methanol-capable ships used renewable ethanol instead, it would create new demand for more than 1 billion gallons.

Renewable Fuels Association president and CEO Geoff Cooper welcomed the findings of the report. “This new report from one of the world’s leading marine industry research institutes shows the tremendous potential for using ethanol in the maritime shipping sector,” said Cooper. “Ethanol is a global commodity that is broadly available at a low cost, it reduces GHG emissions by at least 50 percent compared to petroleum, and it offers numerous other attractive fuel and combustion properties.” READ MORE

Excerpt from Freight Business Journal North America: Maersk has completed what it says is the first ship-to-ship commercial ethanol bunkering of a deep-sea container vessel in the U.S., testing another potential alternative fuel pathway for ocean shipping.

The dual-fuel Tangier Maersk was bunkered with 100 percent U.S.-produced corn ethanol. Maersk said the operation provided practical experience with the infrastructure, sourcing, supply chain and operational requirements involved in using ethanol as a marine fuel.

Ethanol already has an established production and distribution base and can be used aboard alcohol-enabled vessels, although Maersk cautioned that its potential as a scalable marine fuel will depend on availability, regulation and operational readiness across the maritime supply chain.

“This bunkering operation aboard Tangier Maersk provides valuable real-world experience with alternative fuels in commercial shipping,” said Ditlev Blicher, Maersk regional president for North America. “The insights gained will help drive the development of more sustainable supply chains.”

The operation follows previous ethanol trials aboard Laura Maersk and Antonia Maersk. Maersk has emphasized that it is examining multiple potential fuel pathways rather than relying on a single technology as shipping moves toward lower-emission operations. READ MORE