GOLDEN, CO – Marine shipping could become a significant new market for U.S. ethanol and corn demand, according to a new National Laboratory of the Rockies study evaluating ethanol use in oceangoing vessels.
Researchers say roughly 112 to 120 methanol-capable ships already operating could consume about 2 billion gallons of ethanol annually if they ran full-time on the fuel. The report says those engines can operate on ethanol without major changes.
The potential market is much larger. Global marine fuel use was estimated at 259 million metric tons, or about 86 billion gallons, in 2023. The United States also has roughly 2 billion gallons of idled ethanol production capacity.
Ethanol offers 35% more energy content than methanol, along with lower toxicity and faster biodegradation after spills. Commercial ship-to-ship ethanol bunkering began during summer 2026, but infrastructure, supply chains and fuel standards remain barriers.
The study was produced with support from Growth Energy and the U.S. Grains and Bioproducts Council. Researchers say international marine fuel standards now under development could help determine how quickly ethanol use expands.
Farm-Level Takeaway: Marine shipping could create a significant new ethanol demand outlet and strengthen long-term corn demand if adoption expands.