Raizen, Wartsila to research use of ethanol in maritime transportation
NEW YORK, Oct 17 (Reuters) – Raizen (RAIZ4.SA), the world’s largest producer of sugarcane ethanol, and Wartsila, a leader in maritime transportation propulsion, will cooperate in a research program to test ethanol as a fuel option for vessels, the companies said on Tuesday.
Finland’s Wartsila (WRT1V.HE) already produces dual-fuel engines for ships that can operate using both gasoil and methanol. The target of the collaboration with Brazil’s Raizen is to test ethanol as an alternative fuel on those engines.
The maritime transportation industry is looking to reduce its significant carbon dioxide footprint. It has set targets to cut carbon emissions by 40% by 2030 and 70% by 2050. Only a few vessels so far have engines that can run on any fuel other than oil-based ones.
Stefan Nysjo, Wartsila’s vice president for power supplies, said methanol and ethanol are similar and that the agreement with Raizen is an opportunity to expand knowledge on possible low-carbon fuels for the naval industry.
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