Maersk has carried out a large-scale ethanol bunkering operation aboard its dual-fuel vessel Laura Maersk in Rotterdam, marking the second time the ship has operated on 100% ethanol, according to the container line.

The operation, which took place earlier this week, differed from previous trials in that the ethanol was delivered by barge rather than through smaller-scale supply methods. Maersk explained that the larger delivery format allowed it to test operational handling, supply chains and procedures under conditions closer to real-world operations.

Laura Maersk is Maersk's first dual-fuel, methanol-capable vessel and has been used as a testbed for alternative fuel options as the company works to build out what it describes as a low-emission portfolio.

Ethanol is one of several fuel pathways the company says is exploring, alongside other options across its growing dual-fuel fleet.

Maersk noted that the trials are intended to build "flexibility and optionality" by testing different fuel solutions.