National Ethanol Conference 2026

📍 Orlando, Florida, USA | 24 - 26 Feb

GCGF Managing Director Clarence Woo joined an expert panel examining the emerging role of ethanol in maritime decarbonisation at National Ethanol Conference (NEC).

Panel: Taking the Tide – Ethanol on the High Seas

The session examined how ethanol could contribute to shipping’s decarbonisation pathway, addressing the policy drivers, economics, and technical considerations associated with using ethanol as a maritime fuel.

Key Themes from the Discussion

• Growing policy momentum to reduce emissions from international shipping

• Technical readiness of alcohol-fuel engines and compatibility with evolving maritime fuel systems

• Economic considerations, including fuel availability and supply chain scalability

• The importance of fuel standards, safety frameworks, and operational experience to enable wider industry adoption

  
  

Clarence highlighted the importance of coordinated work across regulators, engine manufacturers, shipowners, and fuel suppliers to establish the standards and operational frameworks necessary to support safe and scalable deployment of alcohol fuels in the maritime sector.

Expanding Ethanol’s Role in Global Transport

The NEC discussion reflects a broader shift in the ethanol industry toward new transport applications beyond road fuels, including maritime and aviation pathways.

GCGF continues to engage with global stakeholders to support the development of technical standards, policy frameworks, and industry collaboration needed to accelerate the adoption of low-carbon fuels across land, sea, and air transport.