Maersk Tests Corn Ethanol as Marine Fuel in US Pilot Project
Maersk has successfully completed the first commercial ship-to-ship bunkering of a deep-sea container vessel using 100% domestically produced corn ethanol in the US. The operation took place at the Port of Mobile on the Tangier Maersk, which can run on both conventional marine fuels and alcohol-based alternatives.
The Danish shipping company is testing ethanol as an option to reduce emissions from maritime transport. This pilot project aims to provide practical data on vessel performance, infrastructure, sourcing, and logistics required for wider use of the fuel.
For the US agricultural sector, development of this market could create an additional outlet for corn. The US is the world's largest ethanol producer, with an established production and distribution infrastructure.