You are using an outdated browser For a better experience using this site, please upgrade to a modern web browser. Subscribe Get Daily Email Subscribe --> Contact Us Sign in Home News & Features Compliance Costs Bunker Prices Bunker Intelligence World News Latest Features World Americas EMEA Asia/Pacific Home News & Features World IMO Favours Limited Split in Methanol and Ethanol Bunker Safety Rules Despite Push for More IMO Favours Limited Split in Methanol and Ethanol Bunker Safety Rules Despite Push for More by Martyn Lasek, Managing Director, Ship & Bunker Tuesday September 29, 2026 Tweet Follow @shipandbunker Draft IMO guidelines favour a limited split for methanol and ethanol, File Image. Image Credit: AI Generated / Ship & Bunker Draft IMO guidelines favour a limited split, keeping both fuels in one set of guidelines Lighter risk assessment for ethanol-only ships not taken up by CCC 12 IBIA 's Edmund Hughes says the two fuels "require different management" and this is now recognised in the revised draft guidelines Hughes moderates the regulatory panel at the IBIA Annual Convention in New York , November 10-12 The IMO is favouring a limited split between methanol and ethanol in its safety rules for alcohol-fuelled ships. Until now the IMO has treated them as one, under interim guidelines issued in 2020 as MSC.1/Circ.1621 . That has made ethanol's rise as a marine fuel a good deal easier since it has been able to follow methanol into the same engines, tanks, and rulebook, with the two fuels also able to be blended in any ratio . But methanol and ethanol are not the same fuel, and Brazil , with IBIA's backing, had argued that the differences are enough to carry meaningful consequences. Safety Case The focus on separating the two "has, in part, been led by Brazil with IBIA's support", Edmund Hughes , who represents IBIA at the IMO, told Ship & Bunker ahead of the meetings. "This matter is firmly considered a safety issue whereby the properties