Maersk (A.P. Moller-Maersk) has supplied the first commercial shipment of ethanol for a deep-sea container ship in the U.S. using 100% corn-produced ethanol from the United States. This operation took place at the Port of Houston, and the container ship Tangier Maersk, which has a capacity of 9,016 TEU, participated in this process.
Fuel Supply Operation Details
This fuel supply is recognized as the first marine operation to supply ethanol in the United States using 100% bioethanol. The bioethanol producer, POET, supplied the fuel needed for this operation. While Maersk is looking to create more options for its growing fleet of dual-fuel ships, this operation is considered more of a practical test than a commitment to the widespread use of ethanol as fuel.
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Practical Experience and Implications
Maersk has stated that this fuel supply has provided practical experience in the areas of infrastructure, supply, management, and supply chain requirements for the commercial use of ethanol. Despite ethanol having a large production base and established distribution infrastructure, the company emphasized that its wider use in maritime transport depends on the availability of fuel, regulations, and operational readiness.
Detlev Belcher, Maersk's regional president in North America, said regarding this: "Achieving logistics with lower emissions requires transforming new technologies into practical and scalable solutions." He also highlighted the importance of this operation for gaining real experience with alternative fuels in commercial transport.
The fuel supply operation in Houston follows Maersk's previous tests using ethanol on the Laura Maersk and Antonia Maersk vessels. Maersk began its trials using ethanol in 2025, initially using a blend of 10% ethanol and 90% electronic methanol.
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