Maersk's Ethanol Bunkering Operation Puts Focus on Risk Management
A.P. Moller-Maersk has successfully bunkered its containership Tangier Maersk with 100% U.S.-produced corn ethanol in Houston, marking the first ship-to-ship commercial ethanol bunkering of a deep-sea container vessel in the United States.
The operation was conducted by POET, a bioethanol producer, and is attributed as the first U.S. marine bunkering using 100% bioethanol.
Maersk describes the operation as an opportunity to gain practical experience with the infrastructure, sourcing, handling, and supply-chain requirements of using ethanol at commercial scale.
The company's regional president for North America, Ditlev Blicher, emphasized that the operation would provide real-world experience with alternative fuels in commercial shipping.
This trial follows earlier Maersk tests aboard Laura Maersk and Antonia Maersk, which began testing ethanol in 2025 with a blend of 10% ethanol and 90% e-methanol.