Ethanol Sets Sail as Viable Marine Fuel Option

The use of ethanol as a marine fuel is gaining traction in the industry, thanks to its low emissions profile and availability at competitive prices. According to Andrea Lazzaro, head of business intelligence at WinGD, engine technology is well-prepared for the growing uptake of biofuel. One of the biggest supporters of ethanol-fuelled ships is Shandong Shipping, which has ordered two-stroke engines underwritten by a long-term charter to global mining giant Vale.

The IMO's recognition of Brazilian 'second growth' corn ethanol as a viable marine fuel option means that vessels using this fuel will benefit from its low 20.8gCO2eq/MJ emissions factor under any future IMO regime. This is more than four times lower than VLSFO and a huge step towards net-zero emissions.

However, the use of ethanol in maritime is not without challenges. The FuelEU Maritime regulation currently does not credit emissions reductions from the use of biofuels made from food crops or byproducts of food production. This may limit its adoption in certain markets.

WinGD's engines can run on a blend of alcohol fuels, making it possible to combine ethanol with green methanol for decarbonisation purposes. Green methanol is made from renewable electricity and captured carbon, but its high cost currently limits its widespread use.