Bunker One recently completed a bioethanol bunkering operation for the CMA CGM Iron, a 13,000 TEU tri-fuel containership, at the Port of Santos in Brazil. This event, which occurred on Sunday, July 12, is considered the first bioethanol bunkering for a deep-sea container vessel in the South American region. The process involved delivering approximately 500,000 liters of bioethanol to the vessel via the Dona Isa bunker barge.
This initiative was a collaborative effort between several key players: Copersucar, a prominent sugar and bioethanol trading company; AGEO Terminals, a liquid bulk storage operator; and Santos Brasil, a container terminal operator. The successful bunkering demonstrates an increasing commitment within the maritime industry to explore and implement alternative fuels for decarbonization.
For freight forwarders and operations managers, this development signals a gradual shift in fuel options for ocean carriers. While bioethanol bunkering is still in its early stages, its adoption by major carriers like CMA CGM indicates a future where diverse fuel types will be available, potentially impacting vessel routing, transit times, and ultimately, freight rates due to varying fuel costs and availability. Forwarders should monitor these trends as they may influence carrier choices and green shipping initiatives, offering more sustainable options for shippers.
