Exploring Ethanol: New Fuel Trial to Start on Laura Mærsk
Summary: Maersk continues to explore options to diversify its low-emission fuel portfolio by testing ethanol in a dual-fuel methanol engine.
- Maersk to trial 50/50 ethanol-methanol blend on the vessel Laura Mærsk
- Initial E10 test confirmed safe integration and strong performance
- Ethanol offers another scalable, lower emission fuel option for decarbonisation
Copenhagen, Denmark – Maersk continues to explore options to diversify its low-emission fuel portfolio by testing ethanol in a dual-fuel methanol engine. Building on a successful initial trial, the company will now blend 50% ethanol with 50% methanol in a test onboard the vessel Laura Mærsk.
The first trial, conducted in October and November, involved a 10% ethanol / 90% e-methanol blend and confirmed that ethanol can be safely and effectively integrated into the fuel mix. The test underscores the potential to create greater optionality for Maersk’s dual-fuel methanol fleet, essentially enabling dual fuel alcohol vessels.
Emma Mazhari, Head of Energy Markets at Maersk, said:
At Maersk, we believe multiple fuel pathways are essential for the shipping industry to meet its climate ambitions.
That means consciously exploring different options and technologies.
Laura Mærsk, the world’s first dual-fuel container vessel operating on methanol, was designed for methanol as the alternative fuel. Because ethanol and methanol are both alcohols, they share similar properties. The initial trial tested whether an E10 blend would ignite and burn as efficiently as pure methanol while maintaining comparable lubricity and corrosiveness.
The results confirm that ethanol can be blended with methanol without compromising engine performance, paving the way for higher ethanol blends. Beyond the upcoming E50 test, Maersk plans to conduct a trial using 100% ethanol.
Emma Mazhari, Head of Energy Markets at Maersk, said:
Ethanol has a proven track record with an established market and existing infrastructure and offers an additional pathway for decarbonisation.
By gradually increasing ethanol content, we gain valuable insights into engine performance and combustion impacts, informing fuel sourcing potential.
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Exploring Ethanol: New Fuel Trial to Start on Laura Mærsk, source
