GCGF Presents at the IMO Future Fuels & Technology Technical Seminar on Marine Biofuels

February 12, 2026 | IMO Headquarters | London, UK

GCGF was pleased to present ethanol’s role in maritime decarbonization at the Future Fuels & Technology Technical Seminar at IMO Headquarters in London.

The seminar brought together policymakers, regulators, industry stakeholders and technical experts to examine practical pathways for integrating biofuels into the maritime energy transition. With global shipping accounting for approximately 3% of greenhouse gas emissions, the session focused on how sustainable marine fuels can support the sector’s decarbonisation goals under the IMO 2023 GHG Strategy.

Ethanol in the Marine Decarbonisation :

GCGF’s presentation centered on the role of ethanol as a scalable, near to mid-term marine fuel solution. Drawing on both technical and market perspectives, our session highlighted:

• Progress on regulatory, safety and operational frameworks for alcohol fuels

• The importance of credible sustainability governance and life-cycle assessment (LCA) methodologies

• The structural advantages of fuels like ethanol supported by established global production and logistics networks

The discussions emphasized that while no single fuel will dominate the future fuel landscape, biofuels, including ethanol, have a meaningful role to play in advancing maritime decarbonisation.

Key Themes from the Seminar :

During the event, speakers explored several priority topics shaping the future of marine biofuels:

• Regulatory & Safety Developments: Ongoing work at IMO to evolve standards and guidance for low-flashpoint fuels, including alcohol-based fuels and biomethane

• Sustainability and Lifecycle Performance: The need for robust traceability, certification and LCA credibility to support market confidence

• Technical & Operational Readiness: Engine OEM progress on dual-fuel technologies and experience with alcohol fuel operations

• Market Dynamics & Supply Considerations: Emerging biofuel supply projections and the importance of mature supply chains

  
  

Engagement and Outcomes

GCGF’s session was well received, with active engagement from flag states and industry representatives underscoring shared interest in advancing credible, sustainable marine fuel pathways. The session recording and presentation materials are available via the IMO Future Fuels portal for further reference, here : Biofuel - Future Fuels and Technology - Future Fuels and Technology

For more insights into GCGF’s work on marine ethanol and methanol, visit our MEMA page.