Maersk Completes First US Ethanol Bunkering of Deep-Sea Container Vessel

A.P. Moller-Maersk has completed what it says is the first ship-to-ship commercial ethanol bunkering of a deep-sea container vessel in the United States, using US-produced corn ethanol to fuel its dual-fuel alcohol-enabled vessel Tangier Maersk at the Port of Houston.

The operation provided Maersk and its partners with operational experience covering ethanol fuel sourcing, bunkering infrastructure, supply chains and regulatory requirements. The company said the deployment also highlighted factors that will influence the scalability of alternative marine fuels, including fuel availability, regulation and readiness across the maritime value chain.

US-produced bioethanol used for bunkering

The bunkering used bioethanol produced in the United States by POET, which supplied the fuel for what was also the first US-based bunkering of a vessel using 100% bioethanol.

Kirby Corp. supported the marine bunkering operation and transportation of the fuel, while the Port of Houston provided port coordination and infrastructure. The US Coast Guard supported the regulatory requirements associated with the operation.

Jeff Broin, Founder and CEO of POET, said: “Seeing American-made bioethanol move from the farm to a container ship in one of the nation’s largest ports is an exciting moment for our industry. Bioethanol is an abundant, affordable and clean option for the marine sector, and this operation demonstrates what is possible when partners across the value chain work together to open new markets for American agriculture.”

Emma Mazhari, Maersk’s Vice President Energy Markets, said bioethanol has the potential to contribute meaningfully to the future energy mix for shipping.

Maersk expands ethanol trials

The Houston operation follows earlier ethanol trials aboard Maersk’s Laura Maersk and Antonia Maersk, as the carrier evaluates fuel options for its dual-fuel fleet.

Maersk has been investing in methanol-capable vessels since ordering its first dual-fuel vessel in 2021. By the end of 2025, the company had 19 dual-fuel methanol vessels in its fleet, with another six scheduled for delivery in 2026.

The company has also expanded its evaluation of ethanol as a potential fuel option for alcohol-enabled vessels. Trials progressed from 10% and 50% ethanol blends in 2025 to a voyage using 100% ethanol earlier in 2026, followed by the larger-scale deep-sea bunkering operation in the US.

Tangier Maersk marks second US alternative-fuel milestone

Tangier Maersk is the first vessel in a series of six 9,000 TEU container ships ordered by Maersk.

The ethanol bunkering was the vessel’s second US alternative-fuel bunkering milestone in 2026. In March, Tangier Maersk completed a methanol bunkering operation involving approximately 2,000 metric tonnes.

The latest operation gives Maersk further experience with ethanol bunkering at a major US port and adds another fuel pathway to the carrier’s ongoing evaluation of alternative fuels for deep-sea container shipping.