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2 billion gallons of excess US ethanol could reshape marine bunkering, study reports

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2 billion gallons of excess US ethanol could reshape marine bunkering, study reports

Several new dual-fuel container ships are hitting the water, ready to burn green methanol, but the clean fuel itself remains scarce.

A new industry report suggests shipowners may not have to wait for supply to catch up.

Ethanol can run in existing methanol engines and use current methanol bunkering infrastructure with minimal modifications, according to a study released Wednesday by the Maritime Ethanol & Methanol Alliance (MEMA). This compatibility offers an immediate drop-in alternative for the more than 300 methanol-capable vessels currently in service or on order.

“Ethanol is moving beyond pilots, and this study shows the United States has the production base and export infrastructure to supply shipping at scale,” said Clarence Woo, Managing Director of the Global Center for Green Fuels. 

“The next challenge is consistency. As international bunkering grows, shipping needs standardized and fungible marine fuel specifications, together with traceable feedstocks and a robust chain of custody, so that ethanol from different producers and regions can be used with confidence,” Woo added. 

The timing is key for global shipping in terms of curbing emissions. Global shipping consumes around 300 million tonnes of fuel annually, creating a $180 billion market. Regulators are tightening the screws on emissions. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) is expected to decide the next steps for its Net-Zero Framework at a session on December 4.

The new report suggests that the United States sits in a prime position to fill the supply gap. 5 billion gallons. That leaves roughly 2 billion gallons of spare capacity sitting ready for maritime demand, with major export terminals already operating along the US Gulf Coast bunkering hubs.


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