/ Reuters Agency
Maersk is testing a blend of Brazilian ethanol, methanol, and bunker diesel for use in the ships of its fleet, in line with the shipping company’s goals to decarbonize its operations.
Depending on the results of the evaluations, the shipping company will initiate commercial negotiations with biofuel producers in the South American country such as Raízen, Copersucar, Inpasa, FS, and Atvos, according to Danilo Veras, Vice President of Regulatory Policies at Maersk Latam.
Veras pointed out that the talks must focus on the companies’ ability to offer ethanol sustainably and valued that the resource generated in that territory has significant potential.
“It is the first time that ethanol is burned in a two-stroke engine four stories high, it is another scale of research, another level of concern,” said the Maersk executive, referring to the size of the engines of large ships.
Veras declined to indicate when the company might adopt an ethanol blend in its ships’ fuel. However, he indicated that the magnitude of the increase in biofuel demand and its impacts are topics being analyzed.
“When you make a scale leap, you have to be very certain that this leap is sustainable,” stated the Vice President of Regulatory Policies.
Veras explained that the supplier companies will have to demonstrate that the entire process is environmentally sustainable and that the use of biomass to fuel the plants’ boilers is another factor that favors Brazilian ethanol.
“Part of the commercial negotiations is the debate about sustainability. We are satisfied so far, because it is progressing with good quality data,” he stated.
Maersk, which represents 15% of the global shipping market, aims to reach net zero emissions by 2040, achieving a balance between the amount of GHG emitted and the volume removed from the atmosphere.
