Shipping, Industry & Emerging Fuels

HomeLearnFuel TypesShipping, Industry & Emerging Fuels

International shipping and parts of heavy industry rely on dedicated marine and process fuels rather than conventional diesel or petrol. The low carbon liquid fuels (LCLFs) covered on this page are the substitutes for, or alternatives to, those fossil fuels. They have different chemistry and storage requirements from conventional diesel and petrol and need dedicated engines, fuel systems and bunkering infrastructure.

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Renewable methanol Renewable DME Renewable LNG Renewable ammonia

Renewable methanol

Also known as

Bio-methanol
Green methanol
E-methanol
MeOH

Methanol produced from biomass or from renewable hydrogen (Hâ‚‚) and captured carbon dioxide (COâ‚‚), used as a marine fuel in dual-fuel and dedicated methanol engines. Methanol is liquid at ambient conditions and uses similar bunkering infrastructure to conventional liquid fuels.

Key standards and certifications
Technical

ISO 6583

Methanol as a fuel for marine applications – General requirements and specifications

International standard for methanol used as a marine fuel. Specifies the quality requirements for fossil, bio- and e-methanol used in marine engines and bunkering.

IMO IGF Code

International Code of Safety for Ships Using Gases or Other Low-flashpoint Fuels

International safety framework for ships using low-flashpoint fuels (including methanol). Sets functional and prescriptive requirements for fuel systems, tanks and engine room safety.

IMPCA Methanol Reference Specification

International Methanol Producers and Consumers Association

Industry reference specification used in international methanol trade. Defines purity grades for industrial- and chemical-grade methanol.

ASTM D5797

Standard Specification for Methanol Fuel Blends (M51-M85) for Methanol-Capable Automotive Spark-Ignition Engines

US specification for high-methanol fuel blends used in methanol-capable spark-ignition engines. Defines fuel methanol blends from M51 to M85.

Marine Order 97 (Australia)

Australian Maritime Safety Authority

Australia’s marine pollution prevention rules covering air pollution from ships, including sulfur limits and emissions controls relevant to alternative marine fuels.

Certifications and schemes

International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC)

ISCC System GmbH

Voluntary, globally recognised certification covering biofuel sustainability, GHG emissions and chain of custody. ISCC EU compliance enables sale into European markets under RED II/III.

Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials (RSB)

Global certification standard for sustainable biomaterials, biofuels and biomass production.

Multi-stakeholder voluntary standard covering sustainability of biofuel feedstocks, conversion and chain of custody.

Guarantee of Origin scheme

Australian Government (Clean Energy Regulator)

Voluntary Australian scheme that provides a transparent, publicly accessible record of the emissions associated with the production of key commodities. The scheme is being expanded to cover low carbon liquid fuels.

IMO Net-Zero Framework

International Maritime Organization

Draft global framework introducing a greenhouse gas fuel intensity (GFI) standard and pricing mechanism for international shipping. Approved in principle but not yet adopted, so it is not in force.

FuelEU Maritime

Regulation (EU) 2023/1805

European regulation in force from 2025 setting maximum well-to-wake GHG intensity limits for energy used by ships calling at EU ports. Reductions step up from 2% (2025) to 80% (2050).

Production pathways

Standards and approvals
  • ISO 6583 (marine fuel)
  • IMO interim guidelines MSC.1/Circ.1621 (methanol marine safety; IGF Code amendments in development)
Blending and use
Requires a dedicated methanol or dual-fuel engine and methanol fuel system; not a drop-in for conventional marine fuels.
Main feedstocks
Lignocellulosic biomass (forestry/agricultural residues); municipal solid waste

Bio-methanol via biomass gasification and methanol synthesis

Lignocellulosic biomass or MSW
→
Gasification
→
SyngasCO + Hâ‚‚
→
Gas cleaning + conditioning
→
Methanol synthesis
→
Bio-methanol

Same gasification + syngas platform can be configured to produce SAF (FT-SPK), renewable diesel (FT-BtL) or methanol depending on synthesis catalyst.

Standards and approvals
ISO 6583 (marine fuel) IMO IGF Code IMPCA Methanol Reference Specification
Blending and use
As for bio-methanol via gasification – methanol specification and engine requirements do not vary with production route.
Main feedstocks
Biogas / biomethane from anaerobic digestion of organic waste, manure, agricultural residues

Bio-methanol via biomethane reforming and methanol synthesis

Organic waste / biomass
→
Anaerobic digestion
→
Biogas upgrading to biomethane
→
Steam methane reforming
→
Methanol synthesis
→
Bio-methanol

Biomethane reforming uses established natural gas chemistry – readily integrated with existing methanol plants

Standards and approvals
ISO 6583 (marine fuel) IMO IGF Code IMPCA Methanol Reference Specification
Blending and use
As for bio-methanol – methanol specification and engine requirements do not vary with production route.
Main feedstocks
Renewable electricity + water (for electrolytic hydrogen); captured COâ‚‚ (biogenic, point-source or direct air capture)

E-methanol from renewable hydrogen and captured COâ‚‚

Renewable electricity + water
→
Electrolysis
→
Renewable hydrogen + captured COâ‚‚
→
Methanol synthesis
→
E-methanol

Captured CO₂ can be sourced from biogenic point sources, fossil flue gas or direct air capture – the carbon intensity of e-methanol depends on the CO₂ source and the electricity grid.

Renewable dimethyl ether (DME)

Also known as

Bio-DME
E-DME
rDME
Methyl ether

Renewable DME is a gaseous fuel (liquefied under modest pressure) chemically related to methanol. It can serve as a diesel substitute in dedicated DME engines, a blendstock or substitute for liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) for cooking and heating. Renewable DME shares its upstream production with renewable methanol – a single dehydration step converts methanol to DME.

Key standards and certifications
Technical

ISO 16861

Petroleum products – Fuels (class F) – Specifications of dimethyl ether (DME)

International standard for DME as a fuel. Covers purity, water content and other quality parameters.

EN 589

Automotive fuels – LPG – Requirements and test methods

European standard for automotive LPG. It does not currently cover DME, so LPG-rDME blends fall outside its scope. Work to accommodate rDME blends in LPG standards and dangerous goods rules is underway internationally.

IMO IGF Code

International Code of Safety for Ships Using Gases or Other Low-flashpoint Fuels

Applies to DME marine fuel use. Marine fuel quality standards for DME are under development.

ASTM D7901

Standard Specification for Dimethyl Ether for Fuel Purposes

US specification for DME used as a fuel in engines designed or modified for DME, and as a blendstock with liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). Sets composition, purity and contaminant limits. The reference DME fuel standard in North America.

Certifications and schemes

International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC)

ISCC System GmbH

Voluntary, globally recognised certification covering biofuel sustainability, GHG emissions and chain of custody. ISCC EU compliance enables sale into European markets under RED II/III.

Guarantee of Origin scheme

Australian Government (Clean Energy Regulator)

Voluntary Australian scheme that provides a transparent, publicly accessible record of the emissions associated with the production of key commodities. The scheme is being expanded to cover low carbon liquid fuels.

Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials (RSB)

Global certification standard for sustainable biomaterials, biofuels and biomass production.

Multi-stakeholder voluntary standard covering sustainability of biofuel feedstocks, conversion and chain of custody.

Production pathways

Standards and approvals
ISO 16861 (DMEchemical product)
Blending and use
  • Requires a dedicated DME compression-ignition engine and fuel system; commercial deployment remains limited.
  • Blending into LPG is being developed. Industry testing has confirmed compatibility with existing LPG equipment at 10% by mass. No fuel standard currently sets a limit.
Main feedstocks
Bio-methanol (from biomass gasification or biomethane reforming) or e-methanol (from renewable hydrogen and captured CO₂) – see Renewable methanol pathways

Renewable DME via catalytic dehydration of methanol

Renewable methanolbio- or e-
→
Catalytic dehydration
→
Renewable DME

Renewable DME inherits the carbon intensity of its methanol feedstock – see Renewable methanol for the upstream pathways (biomass gasification, biomethane reforming or e-methanol synthesis)

End uses: diesel substitute, marine fuel (under development), LPG blendstock, LPG substitute (cooking/heating), chemical feedstock

Renewable liquefied natural gas (LNG)

Also known as

BioLNG
E-LNG
Synthetic methane (e-methane)
RNG (renewable natural gas, in pipeline-gaseous form)

Renewable LNG is liquefied methane from renewable sources, chemically identical to fossil LNG and fully drop-in to existing LNG vessels, road trucks, regasification terminals and pipelines. It is produced either by liquefying biomethane (bio-LNG) or by methanating renewable hydrogen (Hâ‚‚) with captured carbon dioxide (COâ‚‚) then liquefying (e-LNG). Marine and heavy-vehicle use are the primary commercial applications.

Key standards and certifications
Technical

ISO 23306

Specification of liquefied natural gas as a fuel for marine applications

International standard specifying quality requirements for LNG (from any source, including biomethane and synthetic methane) used as marine fuel.

IMO IGF Code

International Code of Safety for Ships Using Gases or Other Low-flashpoint Fuels

International safety framework for ships using LNG fuel – sets functional and prescriptive requirements for fuel systems, tanks and engine room safety.

ISO 8217

Products from petroleum, synthetic and renewable sources – Fuels (class F) – Specifications of marine fuels

International marine fuels standard that explicitly covers fuels from synthetic and renewable sources alongside conventional petroleum.

Marine Order 97 (Australia)

Australian Maritime Safety Authority

Australia’s marine pollution prevention rules covering air pollution from ships, including sulfur limits.

Certifications and schemes

International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC)

ISCC System GmbH

Voluntary, globally recognised certification covering biofuel sustainability, GHG emissions and chain of custody. ISCC EU compliance enables sale into European markets under RED II/III.

Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials (RSB)

Global certification standard for sustainable biomaterials, biofuels and biomass production.

Multi-stakeholder voluntary standard covering sustainability of biofuel feedstocks, conversion and chain of custody.

Guarantee of Origin scheme

Australian Government (Clean Energy Regulator)

Voluntary Australian scheme that provides a transparent, publicly accessible record of the emissions associated with the production of key commodities. The scheme is being expanded to cover low carbon liquid fuels.

IMO Net-Zero Framework

International Maritime Organization

Draft global framework introducing a greenhouse gas fuel intensity (GFI) standard and pricing mechanism for international shipping. Approved in principle but not yet adopted, so it is not in force.

FuelEU Maritime

Regulation (EU) 2023/1805

European regulation in force from 2025 setting maximum well-to-wake GHG intensity limits for energy used by ships calling at EU ports. Reductions step up from 2% (2025) to 80% (2050).

Production pathways

Standards and approvals
  • IMO IGF Code
  • ISO 8217 (marine fuels)
Blending and use
Drop-in substitute for fossil LNG – chemically identical methane after upgrading and liquefaction.
Main feedstocks
Organic waste streams (food waste, wastewater sludge, manure, agricultural residues, landfill gas)

Bio-LNG from anaerobic digestion

Organic waste / biomass
→
Anaerobic digestion
→
Raw biogas~60% CHâ‚„
→
Biogas upgrading to biomethane
→
Liquefaction
→
Bio-LNG

Raw biogas is upgraded to pipeline-grade biomethane by removing CO₂ and other contaminants – the upgrading process produces a concentrated CO₂ stream that can be captured for use elsewhere.

Bio-LNG and pipeline biomethane (renewable natural gas, RNG) share the same upstream – bio-LNG is the cryogenically liquefied form for marine and heavy-vehicle use.

Standards and approvals
  • IMO IGF Code
  • ISO 8217 (marine fuels)
Blending and use
Drop-in substitute for fossil LNG – chemically identical methane.
Main feedstocks
Renewable electricity + water (for electrolytic hydrogen); captured COâ‚‚ (point-source or direct air capture)

E-LNG via methanation and liquefaction

Renewable electricity + water
→
Electrolysis
→
Renewable hydrogen + captured COâ‚‚
→
MethanationSabatier reaction
→
Synthetic methanee-methane
→
Liquefaction
→
E-LNG

E-LNG is chemically identical to natural gas and bio-LNG – fully drop-in into existing LNG infrastructure and engines

Renewable ammonia

Also known as

Green ammonia
E-ammonia
Bio-ammonia
NH₃

Renewable ammonia (NH₃) is a carbon-free fuel – the molecule contains no carbon atoms, so combustion produces no carbon dioxide (CO₂). Ammonia combustion does produce nitrogen oxides (NOx) and nitrous oxide (N₂O), so engine design and exhaust treatment are central to its emissions performance. It is an emerging marine fuel for international shipping, complementing methanol as one of the leading low carbon marine fuels under serious commercial consideration. Renewable ammonia is also used as an industrial chemical feedstock (fertilisers) and proposed as a hydrogen carrier for long-distance energy export.

Key standards and certifications
Technical

IMO IGF Code

International Code of Safety for Ships Using Gases or Other Low-flashpoint Fuels

Interim guidelines apply (MSC.1/Circ.1687). Formal IGF Code amendments to make them mandatory are still in development.

Marine Order 97 (Australia)

Australian Maritime Safety Authority

Australia’s marine pollution prevention rules covering air pollution from ships, including sulfur and NOx limits relevant to ammonia combustion.

Certifications and schemes

International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC)

ISCC System GmbH

Voluntary, globally recognised certification covering biofuel sustainability, GHG emissions and chain of custody. ISCC EU compliance enables sale into European markets under RED II/III.

Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials (RSB)

Global certification standard for sustainable biomaterials, biofuels and biomass production.

Multi-stakeholder voluntary standard covering sustainability of biofuel feedstocks, conversion and chain of custody.

Guarantee of Origin scheme

Australian Government (Clean Energy Regulator)

Voluntary Australian scheme that provides a transparent, publicly accessible record of the emissions associated with the production of key commodities. The scheme is being expanded to cover low carbon liquid fuels.

IMO Net-Zero Framework

International Maritime Organization

Draft global framework introducing a greenhouse gas fuel intensity (GFI) standard and pricing mechanism for international shipping. Approved in principle but not yet adopted, so it is not in force.

FuelEU Maritime

Regulation (EU) 2023/1805

European regulation in force from 2025 setting maximum well-to-wake GHG intensity limits for energy used by ships calling at EU ports. Reductions step up from 2% (2025) to 80% (2050).

Production pathways

Standards and approvals
No ISO ammonia marine fuel quality standard yet – industrial-grade ammonia specifications apply in the interim
Blending and use
Requires a dedicated ammonia engine or turbine; demonstration stage to date.
Main feedstocks
Renewable hydrogen (bio-derived via biomass gasification or biomethane reforming; or electrolytic from renewable electricity and water); nitrogen separated from air

Bio-ammonia via biomass-derived hydrogen

Biomass or biomethane
→
Gasification or reforming
→
Bio-hydrogen + nitrogenfrom air
→
Haber-Bosch synthesis
→
Bio-ammonia

Bio-ammonia uses the same downstream Haber-Bosch synthesis as conventional ammonia – the difference is the hydrogen source

E-ammonia via electrolytic hydrogen

Renewable electricity + water
→
Electrolysis
→
Renewable hydrogen + nitrogenfrom air
→
Haber-Bosch synthesis
→
E-ammonia

Most commercial-scale renewable ammonia projects target this electrolytic route – large-scale developments are underway in Australia, the Middle East, Africa and Latin America.

Same plant can produce ammonia for marine fuel, fertiliser or as a hydrogen carrier for export to ammonia-cracking facilities at destination.

Keep exploring
Maritime Conversion and upgrading End-use applications

Resources

A selection from the library related to this page.

    • Report
    • 2025

    Opportunities and Priorities for a Low Carbon Liquid Fuel Industry in Australia
    Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), prepared in partnership with the Australian Government
    CSIRO report, prepared in partnership with the Australian Government, outlining opportunities for a low carbon liquid fuel industry in Australia and identifying priorities to progress projects from development through to commercial scale.
    Read more
    • Report
    • 2025

    Refined Ambitions: Exploring Australia’s low carbon liquid fuel potential
    Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC), prepared by Deloitte
    CEFC’s Refined Ambitions report assesses Australia’s low carbon liquid fuel potential, covering supply chains, investment considerations and policy levers across fuels such as SAF and renewable diesel.
    Read more
    • Standard
    • 2024

    ISO 8217 Products from petroleum, synthetic and renewable sources – Fuels (class F) – Specifications of marine fuels
    International Organization for Standardization (ISO)
    ISO specification for petroleum, synthetic and renewable marine fuels, setting requirements for residual and distillate fuels used in marine diesel engines and boilers.
    Read more
    • Standard
    • 2024

    ISO 6583 Methanol as a fuel for marine applications – General requirements and specifications
    International Organization for Standardization (ISO)
    ISO specification setting general requirements for methanol used as a fuel in marine applications, including quality parameters for use in marine engines.
    Read more
    • Guidance
    • 2024

    IMO framework on life cycle GHG intensity of marine fuels (LCA)
    International Maritime Organization (IMO)
    IMO framework setting the methodology for assessing the life cycle greenhouse gas intensity of marine fuels on a well-to-wake basis, underpinning the IMO Net-Zero Framework.
    Read more
    • Guidance
    • 2026

    International Code of Safety for Ship Using Gases or Other Low-flashpoint Fuels (IGF Code)
    International Maritime Organization (IMO)
    IMO webpage on the IGF Code, the mandatory international safety standard for ships using gases or other low-flashpoint fuels such as LNG and methanol. Adopted in 2015 and in force from 1 January 2017, it sets goal-based provisions for the arrangement, installation, control and monitoring of machinery, equipment and systems using low-flashpoint fuels.
    Read more
    • Legislation & regulation
    • 2022

    Marine Order 97 (Marine pollution prevention – air pollution)
    Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA)
    Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) Marine Order 97 implements the air pollution requirements of MARPOL Annex VI for ships in Australian waters, including limits on sulfur oxide (SOx), nitrogen oxide (NOx) and particulate matter emissions, and energy efficiency requirements.
    Read more
    • Certification scheme
    • 2026

    International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) System
    International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC)
    International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) is an independent global certification scheme covering sustainable biomass, bio-based materials, renewable fuels and circular economy products. ISCC is recognised under the International Civil Aviation Organisation’s (ICAO) CORSIA scheme, and is widely used across European Union renewable fuel pathways including aviation fuels under ReFuelEU Aviation and marine fuels under FuelEU Maritime.
    Read more
    • Certification scheme
    • 2026

    RSB Certification
    Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials (RSB)
    Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials voluntary sustainability certification scheme for biofuels, biomaterials and feedstocks, covering environmental, social and traceability criteria.
    Read more
    • Technical & scientific report
    • 2025

    Task 64: E-fuels and End-use Perspectives
    Advanced Motor Fuels Technology Collaboration Programme (AMF TCP)
    AMF TCP report reviewing the status, production and use of e-fuels across sectors.
    Read more
    • Organisation website
    • 2026

    International Methanol Producers and Consumers Association
    International Methanol Producers and Consumers Association (IMPCA)
    IMPCA is the international industry association for methanol producers and consumers, publishing the IMPCA Methanol Reference Specifications and sampling methods that are the global benchmark for commercial methanol quality, including as a fuel.
    Read more
    • Standard
    • 2021

    ASTM D5797: Standard Specification for Methanol Fuel Blends (M51-M85) for Methanol-Capable Automotive Spark-Ignition Engines
    ASTM International
    ASTM specification setting requirements for methanol fuel blends containing 51 to 85% methanol by volume for use in methanol-capable flexible-fuel and dedicated methanol automotive spark-ignition engines.
    Read more
    • Standard
    • 2015

    ISO 16861 Petroleum products – Fuels (class F) – Specifications of dimethyl ether (DME)
    International Organization for Standardization (ISO)
    ISO standard specifying the characteristics of dimethyl ether (DME) used as a fuel, where the main component is dimethyl ether synthesised from any organic raw material. It applies to DME used as a heating fuel, as an industrial fuel, and as a replacement for diesel fuel or gas oil. Developed by ISO/TC 28/SC 4 as part of the Fuels (class F) series.
    Read more
    • Standard
    • 2024

    BS EN 589:2024: Automotive fuels. LPG. Requirements and test methods
    The British Standards Institution (BSI)
    European standard specifying requirements and test methods for marketed automotive liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) used as a vehicle fuel, covering composition, vapour pressure, sulfur and odorant requirements.
    Read more
    • Standard
    • 2020

    ISO 23306 Specification of liquefied natural gas as a fuel for marine applications
    International Organization for Standardization (ISO)
    ISO standard specifying the quality requirements for liquefied natural gas (LNG) used as a fuel for marine applications, defining the parameters to be measured, the required values and the reference test methods, applied at the time and place of custody transfer. It covers LNG from any source, including conventional reservoirs, shale gas, coalbed methane, biomethane and synthetic methane, whether derived from fossil or renewable feedstocks.
    Read more
    • Guidance
    • 2025

    Interim Guidelines for the Safety of Ships Using Ammonia as Fuel (MSC.1/Circ.1687)
    International Maritime Organization (IMO)
    IMO interim safety guidelines for ships using ammonia as fuel, addressing risk-based design, system integration, and operational requirements for ammonia-fuelled vessels. Approved at MSC 109 (December 2024); circular issued 26 February 2025.
    Read more
    • Policy & program
    • 2025

    IMO Net-Zero Framework
    International Maritime Organization (IMO)
    The IMO Net-Zero Framework was approved at the 83rd session of the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 83) in April 2025 as a new Chapter 5 of MARPOL Annex VI. It would introduce a global fuel standard with annual greenhouse gas fuel intensity reduction targets and a credit trading scheme for ocean-going ships over 5,000 gross tonnage. Adoption was deferred at the extraordinary MEPC session in October 2025 with the session adjourned for 12 months to reconvene in late 2026, pushing earliest entry into force to 2028.
    Read more
    • Market outlook & country report
    • 2025

    Maritime Forecast to 2050
    DNV
    DNV’s annual Maritime Forecast to 2050 is an industry-standard analysis of marine fuel transition pathways and decarbonisation options for global shipping. DNV also publishes the Alternative Fuels Insight platform tracking the global alternative-fuelled fleet, fuel availability and bunkering infrastructure.
    Read more
    • Policy & program
    • 2026

    Guarantee of Origin scheme (Australia)
    Clean Energy Regulator (CER)
    Australian Government webpage on the Guarantee of Origin scheme, a voluntary scheme that provides a transparent, publicly accessible record of the emissions associated with the production of key commodities. Administered by the Clean Energy Regulator, with policy development and emissions accounting methodologies the responsibility of DCCEEW.
    Read more
    • Legislation & regulation
    • 2023

    FuelEU Maritime (Regulation (EU) 2023/1805)
    European Union (EU)
    EU FuelEU Maritime regulation setting greenhouse gas intensity limits for energy used on board ships, with rules and incentives that support uptake of renewable and low carbon marine fuels.
    Read more
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