Maersk has completed its first large-scale bunkering of 100% bioethanol onto the 16,200 TEU dual-fuel container ship Antonia Mærsk at APM Terminals Barcelona. Building on previous feeder trials, the successful operation marks a major step toward diversifying liquid alcohol fuel supply chains and establishing routine ethanol bunkering across major global ports.
Barcelona, Spain | July 15, 2026 – Ocean carrier A.P. Moller – Maersk has marked another significant technical milestone in its decarbonization roadmap, scaling up its alternative fuel trials by bunkering its large dual-fuel container ship Antonia Mærsk with 100% Ethanol at APM Terminals Barcelona.
The operation, executed on 9 July 2026 at the Port of Barcelona, represents a critical transition for the shipping line, moving ethanol trials from initial feeder ship tests to its high-capacity, ocean-going fleet.
- Vessel: Antonia Mærsk, a 16,200 TEU Equinox-class dual-fuel container ship.
- Bunkering Date: Executed on 9 July 2026.
- Location: APM Terminals Barcelona, Port de Barcelona.
- Fuel Grade: 100% Ethanol.
- Primary Propulsion: Powered by a dual-fuel MAN B&W ME-LGIM two-stroke engine.
Scaling Up Beyond Feeder Trials
The Barcelona bunkering operation builds directly upon foundational testing conducted on the Laura Mærsk, Maersk’s first dual-fuel feeder vessel. While the Laura Mærsk served as a proving ground for initial alcohol blends (including E10 ethanol-methanol mixes and 100% ethanol runs), bunkering the 350-meter, 16,200 TEU Antonia Mærsk proves that ethanol can meet the energy density and supply chain scale needed for deep-sea trade.
Both liquid fuels share similar physical handling profiles:
Methanol (CH3OH) <-> Ethanol (C2H5OH)
Because both are liquid alcohol fuels stored at ambient temperatures, dual-fuel engines running on Everllence ME-LGIM platform, originally specified for methanol, can adapt to bioethanol with minor fuel management recalibrations.
Maersk Ethanol Roadmap
| Timeline | Vessel / Scope | Operation Details | Key Milestone |
| 2025 – Q1 2026 | Laura Mærsk (Feeder Vessel) | Methanol/Ethanol E10 Blends | Initial Feeder Ship Proving |
| June 2026 | Laura Mærsk (Feeder Vessel) | 100% Bioethanol Barge Bunkering | First Port-Scale 100% Ethanol Trial (Port of Rotterdam) |
| 9 July 2026 | Antonia Mærsk (16,200 TEU) | 100% Bioethanol Bunkering | First Large-Scale Commercial Operation (APM Terminals Barcelona) |
Infrastructure, Safety, and Supply Chain Alignment
While vessel engines are technically capable of handling alcohol variants, the primary industry challenge remains the supply chain. Maersk is currently working alongside global port authorities, including Port de Barcelona, to establish formal operational safety protocols, risk management frameworks, and quayside infrastructure to support routine ethanol bunkering.
- Global Market Availability: Ethanol already benefits from massive global agricultural production networks and well-established terrestrial transport infrastructure.
- Fuel Sourcing Diversification: Leveraging bioethanol alongside e-methanol allows carriers to widen their supply pool, insulating fleet operations from green methanol supply deficits.
- Emission Profile: Depending on the production feedstock, full-lifecycle bioethanol can yield greenhouse gas (GHG) reductions upwards of 65% to 90% compared to heavy fuel oil.
Market Implications for Bunkering Suppliers
| Metric / Target | Operational Overview |
| Fleet Net-Zero Target | Net-Zero GHG emissions by 2040 (SBTi aligned) |
| Interim Target (2030) | 50% reduction in emissions per transported container |
| Decarbonization Pathways | Green Methanol, Bio-LNG, Biodiesel, and Bioethanol |
| Regulatory Drivers | EU ETS Compliance, FuelEU Maritime, and IMO Net-Zero Framework |
“Ethanol is one of several pathways we are exploring to diversify our low-emission fuel portfolio,” Maersk stated. “Realising this ambition will require both continued investment across the value chain and the development of supportive regulatory frameworks.”
For marine fuel suppliers and bunkering hubs, Maersk’s success in Barcelona signals that ethanol is no longer an academic alternative. As shipping companies seek immediate, drop-in alcohol alternatives to satisfy tightening European and global emission mandates, ethanol is rapidly moving into commercial readiness across key Mediterranean and Northern European ports.
About A.P. Moller – Maersk
A.P. Moller – Maersk is a global leader in integrated logistics, committed to connecting and simplifying its customers’ supply chains. With operations in over 130 countries and a workforce of around 100,000 employees, Maersk is at the forefront of shipping, terminal operations, and logistics solutions.
The company is driving the transition to sustainable shipping, aiming to achieve net-zero GHG emissions by 2040 through investments in alternative fuels, energy-efficient vessels, and digital innovation with at least 65% lifecycle emissions reductions, and extensive efficiency measures such as this retrofit programme. Maersk is dedicated to shaping the future of global trade with end-to-end supply chain solutions that enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and promote environmental sustainability.
Source: A.P. Moller – Maersk