The Laura Maersk is a methanol-enabled container feeder, but its owner recently suggested a move away from the fuel. Credit: Birger Niss/Shutterstock

The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) has granted “consultative status” to the Methanol Institute (MI) – an energy sector trade body that represents methanol producers and distributors. 

The status means MI can “contribute [its] expertise to the development of regulations for the shipping industry”. The category is reserved for non-governmental organisations that offer “substantial” contributions to the shipping sector, the IMO explained. 

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The MI said it intends to use its new position to work closely with industry to develop regulations and safe working practices with methanol as a maritime fuel. 

“Using its global perspective and expertise, MI aims to use its consultative status to work more closely with member countries to establish robust regulatory frameworks for low-carbon shipping fuels, develop standards for the safe design, operation, and bunkering of methanol, and create market-based measures to support the introduction of low-carbon and renewable methanol,” it said. 

“Methanol Institute steps into its consultative status at a pivotal moment, when the shipping industry continues to make strides in the transition to alternative fuels with a significant rise in orders for cleaner ships.” said MI CEO Gregory Dolan.

“We are grateful to IMO member states for recognizing the added value our organization’s expertise can bring to the table, and we are looking forward to contributing to the IMO’s important work towards achieving net-zero by 2050,” Dolan added. 

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MI will now be able to attend IMO meetings as an observer and offer expert input on discussions in plenary and working groups.

Three more organisations have been given the status along with the Methanol Institute. The International Fertilizer Association represents global producers of plant fertilizer – a key product transported by ship. CIMAC is a non-profit association that promotes “the development of ship propulsion, train drive and power generation,” and One Sea advocates for the transition to automated ships and maritime industries.