Bunker One has carried out Latin America’s first bioethanol bunkering operation for an ocean-going container vessel, supplying the fuel to a CMA CGM boxship at the Port of Santos in Brazil, according to Ship & Bunker.
The global marine fuels supplier delivered 500,000 litres of anhydrous bioethanol to the CMA CGM Iron, a 13,000-TEU container ship operated by CMA CGM, Ship & Bunker reported in a statement issued by the company on Tuesday. The bioethanol was supplied by Copersucar, a Brazilian sugar and bioethanol producer, while Bunker One conducted the ship-to-ship transfer using its bunker barge DONA ISA.
According to Ship & Bunker, the operation marks the first commercial bioethanol bunkering of an oceangoing container ship in the Latin American region.
Safety Preparations Ahead of Bunkering
Before the operation could take place, the DONA ISA underwent a series of technical modifications, as reported by Ship & Bunker. These included preparation of cargo tanks, development of new fuel transfer procedures, emergency response planning, crew training, and the introduction of additional safety measures suited to handling low-flashpoint fuels.
Bunker One also adopted the International Association of Ports and Harbors’ checklist for low-flashpoint fuel operations and created a dedicated emergency response plan specifically for the bunkering, according to the report.
Industry Commentary
Peter Zachariassen, CEO of Bunker One, commented on the milestone, telling Ship & Bunker: “The question is no longer whether bioethanol can be used as a marine fuel. It’s whether it can be supplied safely and reliably at the point of demand.”
Ship & Bunker notes that ethanol is increasingly being considered as a viable alternative marine fuel, alongside methanol, as the shipping industry continues to explore options for reducing emissions.
Does This Matter to You?
This development may be of interest to those tracking the availability and diversification of alternative marine fuels in Latin America. The successful bunkering demonstrates that bioethanol supply infrastructure, including specialized barges and safety protocols for low-flashpoint fuels, can be established at regional ports such as Santos.
For those monitoring fuel availability trends or evaluating alternative fuel options for vessel operations in the region, this operation signals a potential expansion of bioethanol as a bunkering option beyond its current use cases. The direct commercial or regulatory impact beyond this specific operation is not detailed in the source material.
Gulf Bunkering does not provide operational or security guidance. This article is for informational purposes only. Operators should consult flag state authorities, P&I clubs, and relevant advisories for decisions relating to transit planning.
Sources: Ship & Bunker
