Danish shipping giant Maersk is experimenting with a fuel blend of Brazilian ethanol, methanol, and marine diesel to reduce its carbon emissions. This initiative could boost Brazil’s ethanol market while addressing the maritime shipping sector’s contribution to global greenhouse gas emissions, which is about 3%.
Maersk, which holds a 15% share of the global maritime market, is testing a blend that includes 10% ethanol. If widely adopted, this mix could generate a demand for 50 billion liters of ethanol annually, while Brazil’s production is projected at 35 billion liters this year.
Danilo Veras, VP of Regulatory Policies at Maersk Latam, noted that this marks the first use of ethanol in a large two-stroke engine, highlighting the scale and complexity of the research. The company aims for net-zero emissions by 2040 and selected Brazilian ethanol for its sustainable sourcing from existing sugarcane and soybean fields, minimizing deforestation risks.
Maersk plans to complete its ethanol blend tests by October 23, followed by bunker fuel assessments. If successful, the company will engage with major Brazilian ethanol producers like Raizen and Copersucar for future collaborations.
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