US well-positioned to support maritime biofuel demand, with around 2 billion gallons a year of spare ethanol production capacity

SINGAPORE, Nov. 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Ethanol can use the dual-fuel engines and bunkering infrastructure built for methanol with limited modification. That gives shipowners a readily available fuel for a growing fleet at a time when supply of low-emission methanol remains constrained, according to a new study published today by the Maritime Ethanol & Methanol Alliance (MEMA), a platform of the Global Centre for Green Fuels (GCGF).

According to the study, Marine Ethanol: Unlocking the US Opportunity, ethanol can support the more than 300 methanol-capable vessels in service or on order, either on its own or blended with methanol.

The study adds that the US is well placed to meet shipping's growing demand for biofuels. US plants can produce 18.5 billion gallons a year against 2025 output of 16.4 billion gallons, leaving around 2 billion gallons of spare capacity. The US already produces just over half of the world's fuel ethanol. It exports to around 80 countries, largely through Gulf Coast terminals that are also major bunkering hubs.

International shipping burns around 300 million tonnes of fuel a year, worth an estimated US$180 billion. In the study's illustrative scenarios, ethanol meeting 1% of that fuel by mass would require around 1 billion gallons, well within today's spare capacity. A 5% share by the mid-2030s would require around 5 billion gallons.

The study comes as ethanol bunkering moves from trials to commercial operation. On 28 September, Tangier Maersk completed a commercial ship-to-ship bunkering of US corn ethanol in Houston, the first publicly announced US ethanol bunkering of a deep-sea container vessel.

The International Maritime Organization, shipping's global regulator, is expected to decide next steps on its Net-Zero Framework at an extraordinary session on 4 December, directly after MEPC 85.

The study assesses ethanol at technology readiness level 8–9: technically mature, with commercial deployment emerging. Compared with heavy fuel oil, ethanol virtually eliminates sulphur oxide emissions. It cuts nitrogen oxides by 40–94%, depending on engine technology, and particulate matter by 90–99%, without scrubbers. Its net production cost, after co-product revenue, is below US$1 a gallon, which is low relative to other low-emission marine fuels.

The study is published by MEMA, a platform of the Global Centre for Green Fuels. ABS provided the technical analysis as Knowledge Partner. The views and recommendations in the study are those of MEMA. US ethanol producer Marquis Energy provided industry input.

Clarence Woo, Managing Director of the Global Centre for Green Fuels, said: "Ethanol is moving beyond pilots, and this study shows the United States has the production base and export infrastructure to supply shipping at scale. The next challenge is consistency. As international bunkering grows, shipping needs standardised 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."

The full report can be downloaded from www.green-fuels.org/us-ethanol.

Notes to editors

About Ethanol

Ethanol (C₂H₅OH) is an alcohol fuel that is liquid at ambient temperature and pressure. With an octane rating of 108, it resists engine knocking. Its lower heating value is 26.8 MJ/kg, compared with 42.8 MJ/kg for marine gas oil (MGO) and 19.9 MJ/kg for methanol. Its oxygenated structure promotes cleaner combustion. It virtually eliminates sulphur oxide (SOₓ) emissions and significantly reduces particulate matter (PM) and nitrogen oxides (NOₓ) compared with heavy fuel oil (HFO). It is widely available, has low toxicity and is readily biodegradable.

About the Global Centre for Green Fuels

The Global Centre for Green Fuels (GCGF) is a Singapore-based, not-for-profit think tank dedicated to advancing the adoption of sustainable, low-carbon biofuels, with a particular focus on ethanol. GCGF provides expert guidance to policymakers, regulators and industry leaders worldwide on biofuel policy, technology and market integration, supporting global efforts to decarbonise transport fuels.

GCGF operates the Maritime Ethanol & Methanol Alliance (MEMA), a science-based platform that brings together fuel producers, shipowners, ports, engine makers and classification societies to accelerate the adoption of ethanol and methanol as marine fuels, in line with IMO, ISO and EU frameworks.

For more information, go to www.green-fuels.org

HANOI, Vietnam, June 25, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Policymakers, aviation regulators, airlines, fuel suppliers, technology providers and international organisations gathered in Hanoi today for the International Conference on Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF): Policy Frameworks and Market Development in Asia, highlighting growing regional interest in sustainable aviation and the role SAF could play in supporting Vietnam's aviation and energy transition objectives.

The conference was jointly organised by the Global Centre for Green Fuels (GCGF) and the Vietnam Academy of Construction Strategy and Cadres Training (ACST) under the Ministry of Construction, with support from the Asia Pacific Sustainable Aviation Centre (APSAC).

Opening the conference, Vice Minister Le Anh Tuan of the Ministry of Construction highlighted the growing importance of sustainable aviation fuel in supporting aviation decarbonisation and reaffirmed Vietnam's commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. He noted that SAF development should be pursued according to a roadmap tailored to Vietnam's circumstances, balancing emissions reduction, energy security and business competitiveness.

Held as countries across Asia-Pacific examine pathways to decarbonise aviation while supporting continued air transport growth, the conference brought together government representatives, aviation authorities and industry stakeholders to discuss SAF policy development, market creation, technology pathways and supply chain considerations.

Delivering the keynote address, Mr. Subash S., Deputy Regional Director of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Asia and Pacific Office, highlighted the role of SAF within ICAO's Long-Term Aspirational Goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions from international aviation by 2050. He emphasised the importance of national SAF roadmaps, coordinated policy frameworks and collaboration across government agencies, industry and financial institutions to support SAF deployment.

Discussions during the conference provided Vietnamese stakeholders with regional perspectives and implementation experiences across policy frameworks, certification requirements, market development, technology pathways and supply chains. The exchanges are expected to contribute to ongoing assessments of SAF development opportunities and future planning efforts in Vietnam.

For Vietnam, SAF development may also present opportunities beyond emissions reduction. Participants discussed the country's potential role in emerging regional SAF value chains, including opportunities relating to feedstock supply, fuel production, infrastructure development and investment, as well as the policy and market conditions required to support long-term growth.

"The transition to sustainable aviation requires coordinated action across multiple sectors, including aviation, energy, agriculture, industry and finance," said Mr. Clarence Woo, Managing Director of the Global Centre for Green Fuels. "By bringing together regional policymakers, industry leaders and technical experts, this conference provides an important platform for dialogue and the exchange of regional experience as Vietnam explores potential pathways for SAF development."

Mr. Philip Goh, Chief Executive Officer of the Asia Pacific Sustainable Aviation Centre (APSAC), highlighted the importance of regional cooperation and capacity building in supporting SAF development across Asia-Pacific. He noted that countries in the region possess diverse feedstock resources, policy approaches and market conditions, and that sharing experiences and lessons learned can support more informed SAF development pathways.

The programme featured contributions from ICAO, civil aviation authorities from across Southeast Asia, and industry leaders including Vietnam Airlines, Airbus, Boeing, SAFCo, Taiyo Oil and LanzaTech.

The discussions highlighted both the opportunities and challenges associated with SAF deployment and underscored the importance of coordinated action across government and industry to support future SAF development in Vietnam.

About the Global Centre for Green Fuels (GCGF)

The Global Centre for Green Fuels is a Singapore-based not-for-profit think tank advancing the adoption of sustainable fuels across the transport sector. GCGF provides data-driven research, technical expertise, and policy advisory to governments and industry, helping accelerate practical and inclusive energy transition pathways.

About the Vietnam Academy of Construction Strategy and Cadres Training (ACST)

The Vietnam Academy of Construction Strategy and Cadres Training (ACST) is an institution under the Ministry of Construction that supports policy research, capacity building and strategic development initiatives in Vietnam's construction and infrastructure sectors.