Maersk, the Danish shipping and logistics giant, has said that it completed the world’s largest single ethanol bunkering operation, supplying approximately 5,000 metric tons (mmt) of certified bioethanol to its container vessel Maersk Halifax in Singapore, the company said on October 19.

The operation marked the first time ethanol had been used to refuel a retrofitted dual-fuel vessel in Maersk’s fleet, offering further insight into the practical challenges of adopting alternative marine fuels.

Conducted with the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) and other partners, the operation tested the infrastructure, sourcing and supply chains needed to support ethanol-powered shipping.

The vessel also underwent cargo-handling operations during bunkering, demonstrating how alternative-fuel refueling could be incorporated into port activities.

Maersk is exploring several alternative fuels as it seeks to reduce emissions from its shipping operations. Emma Mazhari, the company’s head of energy markets, said no single fuel could decarbonize global shipping on its own.

The Singapore operation followed ethanol trials aboard the company’s dual-fuel vessels Laura Maersk, Antonia Maersk, and Tangier Maersk earlier in 2026.

On September 28, Maersk completed its first commercial ethanol bunkering of a deep-sea container vessel in the US, supplying corn-based ethanol to Tangier Maersk. The operation marked another step in the company’s assessment of ethanol as a potential marine fuel.