The growing methanol-capable fleet could provide a new market for US ethanol as the shipping industry faces constraints in scaling up low-emission methanol supply, according to a new study.
Published by MEMA, a platform of the Global Centre for Green Fuels, with ABS Sustainability Center as a knowledge partner, Marine Ethanol: Unlocking the US Opportunity examines the fuel's technical readiness, economics and potential for maritime use.
The US produced 16.4 billion gallons of ethanol in 2025, accounting for 51% of global output, while installed capacity stands at 18.5 billion gallons annually.
The study estimates that a 1% share of global marine fuel demand would require around 1 billion gallons of ethanol.
Ethanol can be used in dedicated engines or blended with methanol, potentially allowing shipowners to leverage existing methanol-fuelled vessel technology and bunkering infrastructure with limited modifications.
The study also highlights emissions benefits, estimating that US corn ethanol delivers around 51% lower well-to-wake greenhouse gas emissions than VLSFO.
Commercial usage of ethanol as marine fuel is also emerging. In September, Tangier Maersk completed a ship-to-ship ethanol bunkering operation in Houston using US-produced corn ethanol.
MEMA brings together fuel producers, shipowners, ports, engine manufacturers, classification societies and regulators to promote the adoption of ethanol and methanol as marine fuels.
The full study can be downloaded from here.
