POET supplied plant-based bioethanol for the first 100% bioethanol bunkering operation in the United States. The successful trial with A.P. Moller - Maersk, one of the world’s largest maritime shipping companies, took place in Houston and demonstrates the potential for American-made bioethanol to become a scalable fuel option for the global maritime industry.
The operation is the first U.S.-based bunkering of a vessel with 100% bioethanol and builds on Maersk’s successful testing of bioethanol in its dual-fuel fleet. Bioethanol can offer shipping companies a low-carbon-intensity fuel option while leveraging an established, globally available fuel and supply infrastructure.
“Seeing American-made bioethanol move from the farm to a container ship in one of the nation’s largest ports is an exciting moment for our industry,” said Jeff Broin, Founder and CEO of POET. “Bioethanol is an abundant, affordable, and clean option for the marine sector. It demonstrates what is possible when partners across the value chain work together to open new markets for American agriculture.”
The successful operation was made possible through collaboration across the maritime and biofuels industries. Maersk provided the vessel and championed bioethanol as a marine fuel. Kirby Corporation supported the marine bunkering operation and transportation of the fuel. Port of Houston provided port coordination and infrastructure, while the U.S. Coast Guard supported the regulatory requirements necessary to conduct the first U.S.-based 100% bioethanol bunkering operation.
“Bioethanol has the potential to contribute meaningfully to the future energy mix for shipping,” said Emma Mazhari, Maersk’s Vice President Energy Markets. “It can offer another scalable, lower-emission fuel option and greater flexibility in how the maritime industry approaches its transition to lower-carbon fuels.”
POET produces more than 3 billion gallons annually across its network of 35 bioprocessing facilities. The fuel is supported by established production, transportation, and distribution infrastructure and is available to markets worldwide.
