Rotterdam completes first ethanol bunkering

The Port of Rotterdam has completed its first ethanol bunkering operation, following the supply of ethanol to the container ship Eco Levant, operated by X-Press Feeders.

The bunkering took place last weekend and is understood to be one of the first operations of its kind worldwide in which a bunker vessel supplied ethanol to a sea-going vessel.

Eco Levant has since been operating on a blend of ethanol and methanol. The fuel blend comprised 90 per cent ISCC EU-certified biomethanol and 10 per cent ISCC EU-certified second-generation ethanol.

According to the Port of Rotterdam Authority, the bunkering was carried out safely under controlled operational conditions. Ethanol and methanol were bunkered separately onto the sea-going vessel, with both fuels delivered by a single inland bunker vessel. The batches were then blended on board the receiving vessel.

Methanol bunkering is already established in Rotterdam, while the latest operation marks a further step in the port’s work with alternative marine fuels.

Shivendu Gadkar, Head of Fleet Efficiency and Performance at X-Press Feeders, said: “Maritime fuels continue to evolve. At X-Press Feeders, we believe it’s essential to continue to evaluate workable solutions and develop them further — solutions that contribute to reducing our fleet’s emissions.”

METHANAVE, a consultancy and implementation company focused on methanol and ethanol projects for shipping, was also involved in the project.

Morten Jacobsen, Methanave, said: “This project demonstrates the flexibility of alternative fuels such as methanol and ethanol in shipping and illustrates how collaboration across the supply chain can accelerate implementation.”

Matthijs van Doorn, Commercial Director at the Port of Rotterdam Authority, said: “This milestone demonstrates that Rotterdam is ready for a wide range of alternative fuels. Together with all parties in the port, we aim to enable the bunkering of all alternative, low-carbon fuels in the future, promoting greater sustainability for international shipping. This will allow us to fulfil our ambition to become the leading bunker port for sustainable fuels.”

Rotterdam is the world’s second-largest bunker port, with approximately 10 million tonnes of fuel bunkered annually. The port is also preparing for a wider range of renewable fuels, having completed an ammonia bunkering pilot in 2025.