The Chair of the US Federal Maritime Commission (FMC), Laura DiBella, has called for LNG and bio-LNG to remain part of the International Maritime Organization’s proposed Net-Zero Framework (NZF), according to Ship & Bunker.
In a statement issued Thursday, DiBella said any workable framework should permit the broadest possible range of alternative marine fuels, specifically naming LNG and bio-LNG among those that should be included, Ship & Bunker reports.
Fuel Diversity vs. Fuel Availability
DiBella argued that having a variety of fuel options does not automatically guarantee availability, stability, or reliability, according to the report. She said emissions reduction targets should instead be tied to the viability, affordability, global availability, and scalability of alternative fuels rather than to a strict implementation timeline or a narrow list of approved fuels.
She added that both conventional and transitional fuels should continue to be used to satisfy these conditions, Ship & Bunker notes.
Bio-LNG and LNG Could Dominate by 2050
According to the report, DiBella stated that LNG and bio-LNG together could realistically supply more than 60% of global maritime fuel by 2050. She pointed to bio-LNG’s ability to use existing LNG infrastructure and serve the expanding fleet of LNG-fuelled vessels as a key advantage, citing its production from organic agricultural waste.
DiBella also pushed back against the idea that rising demand would inevitably push bio-LNG prices higher, Ship & Bunker reports. She said that assumption wrongly presumes fuel supply will stay static even as demand grows, and argued that a well-designed global fuel standard could instead create the demand certainty needed to attract new investment and expand supply, particularly within the United States.
She further highlighted the United States’ position as the world’s leading LNG exporter, with export capacity expected to double by 2030, according to the report. DiBella said that responsibly sourced, American-made bio-LNG should be recognized as a qualifying fuel both domestically and internationally.
Context: US Opposition to the NZF
Ship & Bunker reports that DiBella’s remarks come ahead of a technical IMO meeting next month, where delegates are expected to revisit unresolved issues surrounding the NZF, which failed to gain adoption last year. The outlet notes that DiBella had previously criticized the framework in May, claiming a “silent majority” of countries opposed it. The US has opposed the NZF since its introduction and has previously called for it to be scrapped entirely, according to the report. Ship & Bunker clarifies that DiBella’s comments reflect her own views and not necessarily the official position of the FMC.
Does This Matter to You?
This development is relevant to those tracking how regulatory decisions could shape future fuel availability and compliance pathways in shipping. If LNG and bio-LNG are formally recognized within the NZF, this could influence long-term fuel procurement strategies, infrastructure investment, and compliance planning for vessels already using or considering LNG propulsion. The outcome of next month’s IMO technical meeting may offer further clarity on how the framework’s final scope could affect fuel sourcing decisions going forward.
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
