IMO, through its Future Fuels and Technology (FFT) Project, organised a technical seminar on methane-based fuels. Ipieca delegates attended the seminar on the 12 May 2026 at IMO Headquarters in London.
As an observer of the IMO, Ipieca helps the IMO to assess the science surrounding proposed changes to the marine fuel developments regime, including marine spill and a greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction focus. It also identifies ways to make cleaner marine fuels more readily available to ship owners around the world, whilst considering safety around the use of these fuels.
The technical seminar on methane-based fuels was held to enhance understanding and share the latest developments in the production, safe use and blending of methane-based fuels (i.e. liquefied natural gas (LNG), bio-methane and e-methane).
Across the seminar, some key themes included:
- Life-cycle emissions and methane management: strong focus on measuring, accounting for and reducing methane emissions across the full LNG and methane fuel value chain
- Scaling methane-based fuels: discussion on expanding e‑methane, bio‑LNG and biomethane production, including market readiness, regional developments and deployment challenges
- Technology and operational solutions: advances in engines, bunkering infrastructure and onboard practices to minimise emissions and support wider fuel adoption
- The role of fuel certification and traceability: strong certification systems are essential to safeguard sustainability and traceability along the fuel production supply chain, and enable development and market confidence in methane-based fuels
- Policy and industry collaboration: importance of IMO frameworks and cross-sector collaboration to align standards, accelerate innovation and enable decarbonisation
Overall, the workshop provided a broad overview of current developments related to methane-based fuels in shipping, covering policy frameworks, fuel pathways, technologies and emissions considerations across the value chain.
For more information and links to the presentations, please visit the IMO webpage here.
