Brazil’s oil and biofuels regulator has launched a public consultation on proposed changes to the country’s marine fuel specifications, aiming to broaden the use of biofuels and alternative fuels within its shipping sector.
According to Ship & Bunker, the National Agency of Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels (ANP) published a draft proposal on July 27 to revise Resolution No. 903/2022, the regulation governing specifications for marine diesel oil and marine fuel oil sold in Brazil. As reported by Ship & Bunker, international law firm Mayer Brown noted on its website that the draft is intended to align Brazil’s marine fuel rules with the ISO 8217:2024 standard and to support the shipping sector’s energy transition.
Key Proposed Changes
One of the most significant changes would allow up to B100, or 100% marine biofuel, to be supplied for routine bunkering operations, according to Ship & Bunker. Currently, such blends are only permitted under exceptional circumstances.
The draft also proposes recognising HVO, green diesel and gas-to-liquids (GTL) fuels as drop-in alternatives, meaning they could be used without requiring modifications to ship engines or existing bunkering infrastructure, Ship & Bunker reports.
In addition, the proposal would replace the current system requiring prior ANP authorisation for biofuel blending with a notification system for companies already authorised to blend fuels, according to the report.
Different Rules for Different Fuels
Not all alternative fuels would be treated the same way under the draft rules. Methanol, ammonia, hydrogen and ethanol would continue to require experimental approval from the ANP before they could be bunkered, Ship & Bunker states.
LNG, meanwhile, would be shifted to a separate, dedicated authorisation process, reflecting the fact that established technical standards already exist for the fuel, according to the report.
Ship & Bunker notes that the overall changes are designed to bring Brazil’s regulatory framework more closely in line with international standards, while also providing clearer rules for biofuel operations that are already taking place in the country’s maritime sector.
Consultation Timeline
The public consultation on the draft proposal remains open until September 10, with a public hearing scheduled for September 23, according to Ship & Bunker.
Does this matter to you?
For those involved in bunkering operations, fuel supply, or vessel calls in Brazilian ports, this regulatory update could affect how biofuel blends and alternative fuels are sourced, certified and supplied going forward. A shift from prior authorisation to a notification system for biofuel blending, as described by Ship & Bunker, may streamline processes for authorised blending companies operating in the country.
The distinction drawn between fuels that would become drop-in alternatives, such as HVO and GTL, and those still requiring experimental approval, such as methanol and ammonia, may also be relevant to operators evaluating fuel options for vessels calling at Brazilian ports. Since the consultation is still open, the direct operational impact will depend on the final version of the rules adopted after the September 23 public hearing.
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
