Maersk has begun testing a 50/50 ethanol-methanol blend on its dual-fuel vessel the 2,100-TEU Laura Maersk, reported Saint Petersburg's PortNews.

The trial follows an earlier October-November test using a 10 per cent ethanol and 90 per cent e-methanol mix, which confirmed ethanol can be safely integrated into dual-fuel methanol engines without compromising performance.

The Laura Maersk, the world's first dual-fuel containership operating on methanol, was originally designed for methanol. Maersk said ethanol's similar chemical properties allow higher blends, with plans for a future 100 per cent ethanol trial.

Emma Mazhari, Head of Energy Markets at Maersk, said multiple fuel pathways are essential to meet climate goals. She noted that increasing ethanol content provides insights into engine performance and sourcing potential. The ethanol used is anhydrous, with the United States and Brazil producing 80 per cent of global supply.

Maersk currently uses bio- and e-methanol and biodiesel, and expects to add liquefied biomethane and LNG from 2027 with new dual-fuel LNG vessels. The company decided in 2021 to order only dual-fuel capable ships and will have 19 such vessels by 2025.

Maersk A/S, based in Denmark, operates globally in ocean shipping, port services and supply-chain logistics, managing a large international fleet.