A.P. Moller – Maersk has reached a new milestone in its alternative fuels programme, completing its first full vessel sailing on 100% ethanol during the opening quarter of 2026, according to Ship & Bunker.
The achievement marks a significant step forward from earlier trials. As reported by Ship & Bunker in December, Maersk had been testing a 50/50 ethanol-methanol blend aboard its 2,100 TEU feeder vessel Laura Maersk. The company subsequently confirmed in an interim report released this month that it had also conducted trials using a blend containing just 10% ethanol, before advancing to a full 100% ethanol sailing.
Expanding the Fuel Optionality Playbook
“Ethanol offers another scalable, lower-emission fuel option for decarbonisation and the successful trial using 100% ethanol underscores the potential to create greater optionality for Maersk’s dual-fuel methanol fleet,” the company stated, as quoted by Ship & Bunker.
The development sits within Maersk’s broader fleet expansion strategy. By the close of Q1 2026, the carrier operated 21 dual-fuel vessels, with a further 33 ships on order, according to the same report.
Why Ethanol Works Alongside Methanol
One practical reason ethanol is gaining traction as an alternative marine fuel is its chemical compatibility with methanol infrastructure. Ship & Bunker notes that the two alcohols share similar properties, meaning ethanol can be:
- Stored in the same onboard tanks
- Blended with methanol in any ratio
- Bunkered using existing methanol infrastructure
Only minor software updates and injection valve modifications to the dual-fuel engines are required, lowering the barrier to adoption for operators who have already invested in methanol-capable tonnage.
Andrea Lazzaro, Head of Business Development at WinGD, told Ship & Bunker in a March interview that ethanol should be considered a building block on the path to net-zero emissions.
Does This Matter to You?
This development is relevant to vessel operators, fuel procurement teams, charterers, and port authorities engaged with alternative marine fuels. For shipping companies already operating or ordering methanol dual-fuel tonnage, Maersk’s successful 100% ethanol trial signals that the same fleet may be able to run on ethanol with minimal technical modifications. This could broaden bunkering flexibility and hedging options as the supply landscape for green fuels continues to develop.
For bunkering operators and port terminals, the news reinforces the case for investing in alcohol-compatible fuel infrastructure that can serve both methanol and ethanol demand. The compatibility of the two fuels also suggests that the transition between them need not require separate supply chains, which may simplify logistics planning.
The direct commercial implications will depend on ethanol availability, pricing, and regulatory recognition under frameworks such as FuelEU Maritime, none of which were 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
