A coalition of prominent European industry bodies is pressing policymakers for greater support to expand biomethane supply, warning that existing regulatory shortcomings are stalling the growth of a fuel that could play a meaningful role in decarbonising maritime transport and other energy-intensive sectors.
Joint Declaration Targets Policy Gaps
According to Ship & Bunker, the groups published a joint declaration on the Cefic website last Tuesday, making the case for biomethane as a “cost-effective” and immediately deployable solution. The declaration specifically identifies the chemicals, metals, maritime, and fertiliser industries as sectors that will continue to depend on gaseous fuels and stand to benefit most from a scaling up of biomethane availability.
Signatories to the declaration include the European Biogas Association, Cefic, Cepi, and COGEN Europe, among others.
Key Barriers Identified
Ship & Bunker reports that the coalition flagged several obstacles currently holding back market development:
- Regulatory gaps that leave biomethane without adequate recognition in EU policy frameworks
- Administrative burdens slowing project delivery and market entry
- Delays in implementation that are undermining investor confidence and limiting long-term demand signals
What the Groups Are Calling For
To overcome these barriers, the declaration calls for clearer integration of biomethane into EU energy and climate policy, the removal of cross-border trade restrictions, and dedicated financial support mechanisms designed to both boost production capacity and provide long-term demand certainty.
Relevance for Shipping
For the maritime sector, biomethane holds particular appeal as a drop-in alternative to conventional LNG. As Ship & Bunker notes, it can be used directly in LNG-fuelled vessels, offering operators a pathway to reduce emissions without requiring changes to existing onboard infrastructure or bunkering arrangements.
Gulf Bunkering does not provide operational or security guidance. This article is for informational purposes only. Operators should consult flag state authorities, P&I clubs, and relevant advisories for decisions relating to transit planning.
Sources: Ship & Bunker
