Maersk steps up to 50% ethanol blend

Danish shipping firm A.P. Moller–Maersk will test 50% ethanol (E50) blended with 50% methanol on one of its dual-fuel containerships.

IMAGE: Laura Maersk docked at European Energy's Kasso plant. X of @Maersk

This follows the successful testing of a 10% anhydrous ethanol (E10) blend with 90% e-methanol on the Laura Maersk vessel, through October and November, Maersk said.

Ethanol and methanol are both alcohols and share similar chemical traits, but they do not behave identically as fuels. Ethanol carries roughly a third more energy per kilogram than methanol, ignites more easily, burns slightly slower and produces a hotter flame.

In practical terms, that means engine settings such as fuel injection, ignition timing and operating temperature need to be evaluated. A methanol-capable engine cannot simply switch to ethanol without ensuring that the existing fuel-handling equipment can accommodate it.

The E10 trial tested ignition quality, combustion characteristics, corrosion risk, lubricity and emissions profile of the blend. The results “confirmed that ethanol can be safely and effectively integrated into the fuel mix” and “can be blended with methanol without compromising engine performance,” Maersk said.

Maersk has not confirmed whether it will use green or grey methanol for the new E50 test.

If the E50 phase is successful, Maersk plans a full 100% ethanol trial on the Laura Maersk.

“By gradually increasing ethanol content, we gain valuable insights into engine performance and combustion impacts, informing fuel sourcing potential,” said Emma Mazhari, head of energy markets at Maersk.

“The goal is to understand how ethanol performs in our dual-fuel engines and whether it can become part of our future fuel mix,” the company noted. Maersk’s current fuel mix includes biofuels and bio- and e-methanol, and will expand to include liquefied biomethane and LNG from 2027, it added.

By Konica Bhatt

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