The Society for Gas as a Marine Fuel (SGMF) has released its first life cycle assessment (LCA) of methanol as a marine fuel, according to Ship & Bunker. The report rounds out SGMF’s set of LCAs covering LNG, ammonia, and now methanol as alternative marine fuels.
According to Ship & Bunker, the assessment was carried out by consultancy WSP and examined 15 different methanol production pathways. SGMF stated that the study found methanol produced using renewable energy sources can achieve meaningful greenhouse gas reductions compared to conventional fuels.
ISO-Compliant Methodology
SGMF said this is the first full ISO-compliant LCA conducted specifically for methanol as a marine fuel, following ISO 14040 and 14044 standards. The study was also aligned with the International Maritime Organization’s 2024 life cycle assessment guidelines and underwent critical review by industry experts and academics under ISO 14071, as reported by Ship & Bunker.
The emissions data in the report spans both medium-speed four-stroke and low-speed two-stroke engine types, with SGMF noting that each of the 15 production pathways carries its own distinct carbon intensity profile. SGMF cautioned that the LCA represents a snapshot in time and indicated that regular updates will be necessary as fuel production technology continues to evolve. The organisation also noted that additional production pathways, including co-processing methods, could potentially offer further emissions reductions and may warrant future assessment.
Mark Bell, SGMF’s general manager and chief operating officer, was quoted by Ship & Bunker as saying: “SGMF is the only fuel-agnostic NGO with a proven track on providing clear and fact-based information to the maritime industry, covering technical and environmental aspects of future marine fuels. We therefore take pride in being the first organisation that conducted a high-quality full LCA on methanol as a marine fuel, complementing our portfolio of marine fuel LCAs.”
Part of a Broader Fuel Assessment Series
Ship & Bunker noted that SGMF’s third LNG assessment, published in April, found tank-to-wake greenhouse gas savings for LNG of up to 29% compared to 0.1% sulphur MGO. The organisation’s first ammonia study, published in June 2024, reported well-to-wake reductions of up to 61%, depending on engine technology used.
According to SGMF’s own figures cited by Ship & Bunker, there are currently 134 methanol-fuelled vessels in operation and 135 more on order, supported by 13 methanol bunker vessels and five ports currently supplying the fuel.
Does This Matter to You?
This development may be relevant to those tracking the growth of methanol as a marine fuel option, including operators of methanol-fuelled vessels, bunker suppliers involved in methanol distribution, and parties assessing fuel choices for emissions compliance purposes. The LCA provides a standardized, ISO-compliant reference point for comparing the carbon intensity of different methanol production pathways, which could inform decisions around fuel sourcing and emissions reporting as the methanol-fuelled fleet continues to expand, per the figures reported by SGMF.
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
