New study completes SGMF’s portfolio of life cycle assessments across LNG, ammonia and methanol, providing a science-based reference point for the marine fuels transition.

SGMF has published its latest Life Cycle Assessment on methanol as a marine fuel, highlighting the significant greenhouse gas reduction potential of renewable and synthetic methanol production pathways.

The study evaluates 15 methanol production pathways and finds that methanol produced using renewable energy sources can deliver substantial emissions reductions, reinforcing its potential role in shipping’s decarbonisation journey.The publication follows SGMF’s third edition LNG Life Cycle Assessment, released earlier this year, and its inaugural ammonia LCA, published in 2024. Together, the three studies provide stakeholders with a comprehensive, science-based comparison of the emissions performance of key alternative marine fuels.

The methanol LCA study was conducted by WSP and consistent with earlier SGMF’s studies, this one is critically peer reviewed by industry experts and leading academics and covers multiple pathways, reflecting the distinct carbon intensities of each one. The emissions calculations are based on the performance of a wide range of engine types, including medium-speed 4-stroke and low-speed 2-stroke engines.

SGMF noted that LCAs provide a snapshot of industry performance at a specific point in time.

Given the rapid pace of innovation in alternative fuels, the organisation said regular updates are necessary to ensure future studies accurately reflect technological developments and the latest GHG intensity data.

The report also recognised that a range of additional production-specific pathways, including co-processing approaches, could offer further emissions reduction opportunities and may warrant further assessment.

Mark Bell, General Manager and COO of SGMF said: “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 LCA’s.”