Maersk Launches Fuel Trials with E10 Blend
Danish shipping leader Maersk has initiated onboard trials using a methanol-ethanol blend, marking a significant step in its quest for alternative fuels to reduce carbon emissions in global shipping. The trials are being conducted on the Laura Maersk, the world’s first container ship powered by green methanol, which is now testing an E10 fuel blend consisting of 10% ethanol and 90% methanol. This innovative approach aims to evaluate the performance of ethanol in dual-fuel marine engines and its potential role in Maersk’s future fuel strategies.
Testing the E10 Blend
The E10 blend is being closely monitored for various operational parameters, including ignition quality, combustion behavior, lubricity, and nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions. These factors are crucial for understanding how the ethanol component interacts with standard methanol in the vessel’s dual-fuel engines. Peter Normark Sørensen, Maersk’s senior fuel transition manager, emphasized that blending ethanol with methanol could enhance the availability and sourcing options for dual-fuel vessels, which is vital for the company’s sustainability goals.
The Laura Maersk is well-suited for these small-scale tests, allowing Maersk to gather valuable data before potentially expanding the trials to other vessels in its fleet. The E10 fuel delivered to the ship is expected to last between one to one and a half months, after which Maersk will evaluate the results and determine the next steps in their testing process. This initiative reflects Maersk’s commitment to exploring innovative fuel solutions as part of its broader strategy to decarbonize the shipping industry.
