The Renewable Fuels Association and American Biogas Council are leading the formation of a coalition to promote the biofuel use in commercial shipping.
The American Biofuels Maritime Initiative (ABMI) plans to work with the Trump administration and Congress “to establish strong policies that accelerate the use of American-made energy and biofuels in the global maritime sector – thereby establishing U.S. dominance in the future of international maritime shipping,” according to a press release.
Maritime biofuels can include ethanol, biomethane, bio-LNG, biodiesel and renewable diesel.
Cut through the clutter! We deliver the news you need to stay informed about farm, food and rural issues. Sign up for a FREE month of Agri-Pulse here.
The formation of ABMI comes amid uncertainty about proposed new mandates for lower carbon maritime fuels. This fall, a vote on an International Maritime Organization plan intended to cut carbon emissions from ocean vessels was delayed by a year under pressure from the Trump administration.
“Every day, America generates organic waste that should be turned into clean, domestic energy. U.S. support of the maritime fuel market will grow domestic business, creating new revenue for farmers, and strengthening rural economies. The ABMI will highlight this underutilized opportunity as policymakers shape future U.S. production of maritime fuels,” ABC Executive Director Patrick Serfass, a co-chair of the initiative, said in a press release.
RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper, who also is co-chair of the initiative, said, “The maritime sector represents an enormous potential market opportunity for American-made renewable fuels produced from crops grown across America’s heartland.”
