Accelerating the Adoption of Ethanol & Methanol in Shipping
MEMA's technical work is delivered through four industry-led Working Groups that address the key conditions required for scaling ethanol and methanol as marine fuels. Each Working Group brings together expertise from across the maritime value chain, creating a collaborative forum to advance policy development, technology readiness, operational capability, and fuel availability. Together, the Working Groups form an integrated framework that supports the responsible and commercially viable deployment of alcohol fuels across global shipping.
How the Working Groups Connect
Fuels & Logistics
supports supply, storage, and availability.
Safe Handling & Bunkering
enables safe operations.
Technical
validates technologies and vessel pathways.
Policy
establishes regulatory certainty.
Together, these workstreams help transform industry momentum into practical deployment.
Policy Working Group
Shaping the Regulatory Framework for Alcohol Fuels
The Policy Working Group supports informed and evidence-based engagement with international, regional, and national regulatory frameworks that influence the adoption of ethanol and methanol as marine fuels.
Current Areas of Work
Marine ethanol fuel standards development
Monitoring policy developments relevant to alcohol fuels
Member discussion on evolving international frameworks
Focus Areas
IMO frameworks and developments
ISO marine fuel standards
FuelEU Maritime and EU ETS alignment
Lifecycle assessment methodologies
Feedstock-to-fuel considerations
Indirect land-use change considerations
Desired Outcomes
Greater regulatory clarity for industry stakeholders
Improved recognition of alcohol-fuel pathways
Industry input into emerging standards and regulations
Technical Working Group
Advancing Technology Readiness
The Technical Working Group helps evaluate and advance the technologies required for the safe and effective use of ethanol and methanol in shipping.
Current Areas of Work
DUT engine testing programme
Methanol and ethanol blending studies
Technology readiness discussions with industry stakeholders
Focus Areas
Engine compatibility and validation
Fuel specifications and blending
Retrofit pathways
Vessel applications
Testing programmes and demonstrations
Materials and fuel-system considerations
Desired Outcomes
Increased confidence in alcohol-fuel technologies
Improved understanding of vessel deployment pathways
Industry alignment on technical requirements
Recent Output
DUT Testing on Methanol and Ethanol Marine Fuel Applications
DUT testing confirms the safe and efficient use of methanol, ethanol, and their blends in marine engines, supporting alcohol fuels as viable shipping solutions.
Safe Handling & Bunkering Working Group
Supporting Operational Readiness
The Safe Handling & Bunkering Working Group focuses on the operational practices, competencies, and procedures required for safe alcohol-fuel operations.
Current Areas of Work
Operational best practice development
Training and competency requirements
Bunkering and fuel-quality assurance discussions
Focus Areas
Crew and operator training
Bunkering procedures
Sampling methodologies
Electronic bunker delivery note (e-BDN) systems
Operational standards
Port-based pilots
Desired Outcomes
Consistent and safe operational practices
Improved industry readiness
Support for future bunkering operations and pilot projects
Fuels & Logistics Working Group
Building Fuel Availability
Supply, storage, offtake, certification, physical availability, and bunkering hubs are fundamental to scaling alcohol fuels. This Working Group focuses on the commercial and logistical foundations required to support adoption.
Current Areas of Work
Singapore alcohol-fuel ecosystem development
Supply-chain mapping initiatives
Infrastructure and hub-readiness discussions
Focus Areas
Fuel availability mapping
Supply-chain development
Storage and infrastructure readiness
Certification frameworks
Demand aggregation and offtake opportunities
Bunkering hubs and logistics networks
Desired Outcomes
Improved visibility of fuel availability
Stronger supply-chain coordination
Greater confidence in commercial deployment pathways
Get Involved
Participation in MEMA Working Groups is open during the Alliance’s consultative phase. Members can:
Contribute expertise and industry perspectives
Help shape priority initiatives
Participate in technical discussions and pilot projects
Engage with regulators, fuel producers, OEMs, ports, and shipowners
Support the development of practical deployment pathways for ethanol and methanol in shipping
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