A recent report by the Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping (MMMCZCS) highlights ethanol's encouraging technical usability as a marine fuel. The study, titled 'Ethanol as a marine fuel: exploring its usability,' was released on October 8th and examines ethanol's application in engines designed for methanol, as well as its potential in ethanol-marine gas oil (MGO) blends.
The report suggests that using ethanol-MGO blends in retrofitted conventional engines could be a commercially attractive option under certain conditions. This approach offers a potential solution for reducing emissions across a large segment of the global shipping fleet, which primarily consists of vessels not yet equipped for alternative fuels.
For freight forwarders and operations managers, the increasing viability of alternative fuels like ethanol signals a future shift in bunker options and potentially, vessel routing and capacity. While not an immediate change, the development of such fuels could influence long-term operational costs and environmental compliance requirements. Forwarders should monitor these developments as they may impact carrier strategies and available services in the coming years, particularly concerning green shipping initiatives and associated surcharges.
The MMMCZCS continues to research various alternative fuels, and this report contributes to a broader understanding of viable decarbonization pathways for the maritime industry.
