Joint statement on the necessary multi-fuel approach in shipping decarbonisation

São Paulo, Oct 15th – Maersk, Everllance and ethanol producers, Inpasa, FS, Raizen, Atvos and Copersucar, welcome a multi-pathway future for the shipping industry in which several technologies and fuels will exist alongside each other to drive the industry towards its climate targets.

Ethanol, already deployed at scale in other transport sectors, is one among several alternative fuels warranting deeper technical and regulatory evaluation. In many countries, ethanol is extensively used as a fuel additive or direct fuel in road transport.

For shipping, ethanol’s existing production scale is an advantage, and it could also potentially provide a third fuel option for dual fuel methanol engines. Recent bench and engine tests carried out by leading manufacturers have indicated the technical feasibility of fuelling ethanol in these engines, underscoring the importance of continued development and exploration The parties therefore support further work at the IMO to examine ethanol’s safety compatibility with marine engine technology, feedstock competition, life cycle and certification. Further collaboration among ethanol producers, users, and regulators will be essential to better understand its role in the sector’s future energy landscape. The parties encourage fuel agnosticism in global regulations and openness to examine all reduced emissions fuel pathways under the IMO’s 2023 GHG Strategy, with sobriety, rigor, and the long-term goal in clear view, while awaiting further clarity on the recently postponed adoption of the Net-Zero Framework, which is critical to secure global energy transition for shipping.

A robust fuel global regulation anchored in lifecycle emissions, transparency, and enforceable incentives/ penalties can support a transition at pace across the sector.