Brazil-based Raízen, an integrated energy company with a broad portfolio of renewable products, and Wärtsilä, a global leader in technologies for the maritime and energy markets, signed a Decarbonization Agreement to advance the reduction of emissions from the maritime sector.

By studying the application of ethanol as a marine fuel, the new initiative aims to reduce GHG emissions, offer new options to customers looking for sustainable fuel alternatives and contribute substantially to the discussion of the energy transition in the sector globally.

Ethanol is a promising marine fuel readily available. By collaborating with Wärtsilä, we hope to support the global decarbonization efforts of the maritime sector, with Ethanol being a viable contribution to a portfolio of low-carbon solutions.

—Paulo Neves, vice president of Trading at Raízen

As part of its fleet decarbonization program, Wärtsilä has achieved a number of significant milestones to bring new sustainable solutions to the market, increase engine efficiency and support the decarbonization of maritime operations. By conducting tests on its technology using ethanol as the main fuel in Wärtsilä Sustainable Fuels engine laboratories and supporting Raízen in discussions with ship designers and shipowners, and also on regulations and compliance requirements for the use of cellulosic ethanol as fuel, the agreement will help drive the integration of clean energy solutions in the maritime sector, the partners said.

The replacement of fossil fuels by sustainably produced ethanol in maritime transport can reduce CO₂ emissions by up to 80% on a standard route from Brazil to Europe, according to preliminary studies by Raízen. Ethanol has the potential to be a viable solution to decarbonize the sector, as it provides greater flexibility and optionality as the industry moves towards a combination of fuel alternatives with lower emissions.

Faced with the International Maritime Organization’s Initial GHG Strategy (IMO), which aims to reduce carbon emissions from international maritime transport by 40% by 2030 and 70% by 2050 compared to 2008 levels, ethanol can provide another way to achieve this goal.