Raizen, Wartsila to research use of ethanol in maritime transportation

Brazil’s Raízen and Finland’s Wärtsilä, a technology provider for the maritime and energy sectors, have signed an agreement to explore the use of ethanol as a maritime fuel. The initiative aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, provide new options to customers, and contribute to the global energy transition in the sector.

Ethanol sales for maritime use could begin in a year if the results are promising, says Paulo Neves, Vice President of Trading at Raízen.

According to Raízen’s preliminary studies, sustainably produced fuel can reduce CO2 emissions by up to 80% on a standard maritime route from Brazil to Europe.

He said that Raízen manufactures various types of ethanol and would only need to make minor adjustments to its current production to adapt the fuel for the new use.

The studies that the two companies intend to conduct will test ethanol as a fuel for engines of vessels that can already run on methanol, a similar alcohol to ethanol, or diesel, said Stefan Nysjo, Vice President of Maritime Energy Supply at Wärtsilä.

“We do not expect ethanol to be the sole answer; we do not believe there will be only one substitute,” he said. “The future will be very diversified in this area, and we believe that ethanol has a future in this mix,” continued the Wärtsilä executive.

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) aims to reduce carbon emissions from international maritime transport by 40% by 2030 and 70% by 2050, relative to 2008. Ethanol can provide another pathway to achieving this goal, claim the companies.

Source: Globo Rural

To read the original news report, see: https://globorural.globo.com/especiais/caminhos-da-safra/noticia/2023/10/razen-e-wartsila-assinam-acordo-para-testar-etanol-como-combustvel-martimo.ghtml

Sharing is caring!