Alternative marine fuels
Overview
The marine fuel sector is decarbonising. International Maritime Organization (IMO) requirements and EU legislation is driving this change alongside consumer demand for low carbon solutions.
These drivers have prompted shipowners to invest in alternative marine fuels including; marine biodiesel, bio-methanol, grey methanol, LNG, ammonia and hydrogen.
Argus provides pricing, insights, and intelligence for the fast-growing alternative marine fuels market with independent news, analysis, and market commentary on emerging changes and trends so you can stay ahead.
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NZF remains very much alive: IMO secretary general
NZF remains very much alive: IMO secretary general
London, 17 October (Argus) — The International Maritime Organization (IMO) secretary general Arsenio Dominguez said the net-zero framework (NZF) "remains very much alive" even though member states today voted to adjourn an adoption vote for a year. Speaking at the conclusion of this week's extraordinary Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) session, Dominguez said the decision was only to adjourn and there remains a work plan to be discussed and agreed. It is not a "blow to the organisation", he said, noting the Intersessional Working Group on the Reduction on Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Ships is still scheduled to meet next week to discuss and continue work on guidelines for implementing the NZF. The "outcome today was because the member states required more clarification on the amendments," Dominguez said. But he confirmed that IMO procedures allow for further adjournment to an adoption vote. Dominguez said he knew the stakes were high, pointing to an "intense" process that began with the 2023 adoption of a revised greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions strategy. Dominguez also acknowledged geopolitics are having an effect on NZF discussions. He did not provide a firm response to a question on whether the adoption delay would result in a later start date for the GHG pricing mechanism, but he acknowledged that IMO rules require 16 months from adoption to enforcement. Dominguez said concerns were raised about how amendments will be implemented and how the proposed net zero fund will be administered. Dominguez also said the way of implementing the NZF is yet to be defined, since proposals can be adopted via tacit or explicit acceptance. He said while both procedures exist in the convention, tacit acceptance has served the organisation very well in all its work so far and that he looks forward to maintaining that approach for the NZF. Asked about how companies can make investment decisions, ranging from new vessel orders to fuel procurement, in light of the NZF uncertainty, the secretary general said: "The more proactive we are in this industry, the more it brings additional clarity to the framework." By Hussein Al-Khalisy and Gabriel Tassi Lara Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
IMO meeting fails to adopt GHG pricing
IMO meeting fails to adopt GHG pricing
London, 17 October (Argus) — Member states of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) today failed to adopt a global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions pricing mechanism for international shipping. Delegates voted to adjourn this week's extraordinary Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) session by one year, delaying an adoption vote for the net-zero framework (NZF) that includes the GHG mechanism. The motion to adjourn was proposed by the Saudi Arabian delegation after multiple breaks and delays during the week . The motion was supported by 57 countries, including the US and some member states that voted in favour of the NZF structure in April . Votes against came from 49 member states including Brazil and Denmark, while 21 abstained including Greece, Cyprus, and Japan. Some delegates told Argus the vote in favour of adjournment was reflective of a vote against adoption, pointing to the unlikelihood of achieving further consensus within the year. Others described the outcome as a state of "limbo", which leaves room for further possible delays, and that the adjournment was more attributed to "outside pressures" than concerns about the NZF text. Some delegates maintained a more optimistic view, saying momentum for a global GHG pricing mechanism remains and an agreement will be reached — albeit with potential modifications. The outcome followed a week of tense negotiations including multiple procedural objections that was described by the IMO secretary general Arsenio Dominguez as "not the normal". He urged member states to not "repeat the way we have approached this meeting in other discussions". The Intersessional Working Group on the Reduction on Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Ships is still scheduled to meet next week to discuss and continue work on the guidelines for implementing the NZF. By Hussein Al-Khalisy and Gabriel Tassi Lara Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Delays cast pall over IMO vote
Delays cast pall over IMO vote
London, 16 October (Argus) — Multiple delays during Thursday's Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) meeting has cast a shadow on Friday's vote on the net zero framework (NZF) for marine fuel global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions pricing. The drafting group for the International Maritime Organisation's (IMO) pricing mechanism released the final text by midday Thursday, but a vote was pushed to Friday as multiple breaks were called for ongoing "consultations" between member states. A delegate told Argus that the discussions have turned "high level" and expressed uncertainty about the outcome. Some delegate have also expressed uncertainty about whether IMO has a sufficient mandate to implement the GHG pricing mechanism as is, even if a vote goes through narrowly. The emissions pricing mechanism has faced particular opposition from the US this year, which has flipped its prior support for such measures under President Donald Trump. On Thursday afternoon Trump railed against the proposal on social media, saying "The United States will NOT stand for this Global Green New Scam Tax on Shipping, and will not adhere to it in any way, shape, or form." He called on other countries to join the US in voting against the proposal Friday. Member states will also have to vote on a number of amendments, including one the US delegation submitted asking for an "explicit acceptance" or "opt-in" procedure for parties to accept the proposed NZF. Under this proposal, the regulation would come into effect only after two-thirds of the parties — or parties whose combined merchant fleets constitute not less than 50pc of gross tonnage of the world's merchant fleet — voluntarily communicate to the IMO the acceptance of the framework. This proposal from the US could delay the maritime sector's adoption of the NZF by years, even if the mechanism is approved, delegates told Argus. But the US delegation argued that the regulation would still come into force by the current planned date if the explicit acceptance threshold is achieved by 1 September 2026. The explicit acceptance mechanism was used in the past for International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL)'s Annex VI to come into force. The Annex was approved in a convention in 1997, but came into force only in 2005, when two thirds of the countries voluntarily opted in. The UAE also issued a proposal, discussed in the plenary, relating to concerns of having existing regional mechanisms such as the EU emissions trading system (ETS) remain on top of the IMO NZF, creating a "dual regulatory system" which would result in "uncertainty and duplication". The EU previously said there are review clauses built into existing maritime regulations, which would mean that the EU can review or amend if IMO matches its ambitions . The UAE's proposal attracted a significant number of supporters, before the session was stopped for breaks after delegates diverged on the sequencing of discussion. The vote on adoption is now expected to be held on Friday, and will require two-thirds of the majority of International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) Annex VI signatories to vote in favor for adoption. There are 95 out of 108 MARPOL Annex VI signatories currently present. By Hussein Al-Khalisy and Gabriel Tassi Lara Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
IMO discussions on global GHG rules remain mixed
IMO discussions on global GHG rules remain mixed
London, 14 October (Argus) — Discussions on adopting binding global rules to cut greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from shipping began on Tuesday at the International Maritime Organization (IMO) London headquarters, with opening remarks pointing to mixed views. The net zero framework (NZF) will be debated at the IMO's second extraordinary Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) session, ahead of a vote on adoption later this week. The US delegation described the NZF, with a global GHG pricing mechanism structure that was approved in April , as a "global carbon tax", and said it is "unprecedented" for the IMO to administer such measures. The delegation also criticised the structure of the net zero fund, and said there is no mechanism for the IMO to hold such funds. The US delegation concluded by stating that it rejects any and all efforts to tax US vessels based on GHG emissions. A member of the US delegation told Argus that they cannot offer an alternative structure during this meeting, but that they are working on it. When asked what next steps would be for the US if adoption of the NZF goes ahead as is, the delegate said the US might explore "further avenues" and highlighted a significant time gap until the regulation is to come into force. A similar sentiment was echoed by nine other major oil-producing nations. The Saudi Arabian delegation said the NZF as it stands would only benefit some countries economically and therefore does not constitute "multilateralism or fair transition". This was echoed by delegates from Argentina and Iran, with the former saying the proposal should have a "fair geographic representation" and the latter raised concerns that ships under developing countries' flags lack the infrastructure to retrofit their existing vessels to alternative-fuelled ones. The Saudi delegate described the room as a "divided house". The delegate said the Saudi position is not the "abandonment" of the NZF, and reiterated its commitment to the 2023 objectives . The delegation also pointed to "negative consequences" associated with the NZF, namely that the shipping sector will transfer any extra costs to consumers — leading to inflation. Saudi Arabia's opening remarks were supported by the delegations from Russia, the UAE, Venezuela, Iraq, Qatar, Kuwait, Libya and Somalia. Supporters' club Delegates showcased firm support for adopting the NZF from countries including the UK, the Netherlands, Norway, Germany, Spain, Denmark, France, Sweden, Vanuatu, Tuvalu and others. A delegate from Germany said while the NZF is not what they wanted, it remains a fair compromise. IMO secretary general Arsenio Dominguez said in his opening remarks that he recognised some delegates may not find the NZF "climate ambitious enough", while others think it may be "overly stringent". But he said "prolonged uncertainty will put off investments and diminish confidence in IMO", and noted that "no specific fuel or technology has been excluded" from the NZF as compliance option. Seven shipping associations have IMO to adopt the NZF last week , and the EU called on Sunday for adoption. The adoption measure requires a two-thirds majority vote to pass. In the April vote on the GHG pricing mechanism structure under the net zero framework, 63 countries voted in favour, 16 opposed, and 24 abstained. By Hussein Al-Khalisy, Gabriel Tassi Lara, and Natalia Coelho. Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
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Global alternative fuels vessel databases
Argus Marine Fuels includes access to proprietary data in three downloadable databases, providing essential insights into the changing marine fuels market:
Spot deals and firm quotes
This list of spot deals gives buyers and sellers understanding where they stand price-wise compared with their competitors. Argus’ daily deals/quotes detail the port, type of fuel, size of the deal, price, delivery method and delivery dates. It does not include counterparties’ names.
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Alternative fuels vessels and supplier list
Argus lists vessels that are burning alternative marine fuels, including methanol, biofuels, ammonia, hydrogen, LNG, LPG, as well as those running on batteries. The database is updated every month.
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Scrubbers
The database is updated every month. It contains over 4,300 records and counting.
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