Raízen and Wärtsilä sign bioethanol agreement to cut emissions in the maritime sector

Raízen and Wärtsilä have signed an agreement in order to advance decarbonisation of the marine sector.
By studying the effects of ethanol application as a marine fuel, the new initiative aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHG), provide novel options to customers seeking sustainable fuel alternatives and substantively contribute to the discussion of the energy transition in the global marine sector.
"Ethanol is a promising marine fuel that is readily available now," said Paulo Neves, vice-president of trading at Raízen.
"By working with Wärtsilä, we hope to support the marine sector global decarbonisation efforts, with ethanol being a viable contributor towards a portfolio of low-carbon solutions for this sector.”
Wärtsilä, under its fleet decarbonisation programme, has achieved a series of significant milestones to bring new sustainable solutions to the market, to increase engine efficiency and to support the decarbonisation of maritime operations.
By conducting technology tests with ethanol as a primary fuel in Wärtsilä Sustainable Fuels engine laboratories, 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 to drive the integration of clean energy solutions within the maritime sector.
“At Wärtsilä, we are investing heavily in the development of technologies, engines and solutions aimed for low and zero carbon marine fuels.
“This agreement with Raízen, a company committed to supporting the sector’s decarbonisation, is yet another example of how we seek ways to enable the journey towards a decarbonised future,” commented Stefan Nysjö, vice-president, power supply, Wärtsilä Marine Power.
Replacing fossil fuels with sustainably produced ethanol in marine transportation can reduce CO2 emissions by up to 80% in a standard route from Brazil to Europe, according to Raizen’s initial studies review.