Platts proposes to redefine low-carbon methanol marine fuel assessments specifications

Platts, part of S&P Global Energy, is proposing to redefine the specifications of its low-carbon methanol price assessments to only reflect biomethanol material, effective Dec. 1, 2026.

Under the proposal, Platts low-carbon methanol marine fuel assessments would be renamed as "biomethanol marine fuel" to improve clarity.

The proposed changes are outlined below:

Platts low-carbon methanol assessments currently reflect both biomethanol and eMethanol capped at a maximum carbon intensity of 32.9 gCO2e/MJ, certified by ISCC EU.

Under the prevailing EU Renewable Energy Directive (RED), transport biofuels must achieve a minimum 65% reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions relative to the fossil fuel comparator of 94 gCO2e/MJ.

Given the differing regulatory benefits of carbon intensity for sustainable fuels, Platts would like to invite feedback on attributing a specific carbon intensity in its specifications for the biomethanol assessments.

Other specifications, including incoterm, location basis, laycan, volume, currency, and unit of measure, would remain the same. Please refer to Platts Chemicals Specifications Guides for all the details: https://www.spglobal.com/energy/en/pricing-benchmarks/our-methodology/methodology-specifications/chemicals

This proposed change follows market feedback indicating that biomethanol and eMethanol bunker markets are increasingly diverging. Platts has also observed that most of the spot pricing information gathered since the launch of the low-carbon methanol marine fuel assessments has been associated primarily with biomethanol marine fuel.

The assessments are published on Platts Petrochemical Alert pages PCA 198, 199, 654, 1159, and 1568; Platts Bunker Alert pages PGB 560, 1159, 2852, 3693, and 3694; Energy Core; Bunkerwire; and in the Platts PricePoint database under the above-mentioned codes. They are also published in the Americas, Europe, and Asia Petrochemicalscan.

eMethanol

For eMethanol, Platts currently publishes production cost-based calculated assessments for chemical use, which can be found on PCA 653, 872 and 1160 and Core.

As part of its commitment to open and transparent pricing and production specifications, Platts would like to invite feedback on its eMethanol assessments.

MMF Singapore delivered assessment

The MMF Singapore Dlvd assessment, published under the code MBLSG00, would continue to reflect specifications aligned with the latest Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore's requirements, which currently stipulate that methanol bunkered in Singapore must have a well-to-wake carbon intensity of no more than 95 gCO2e/MJ.

Please send all feedback, comments, and questions to petchems@spglobal.com, shipping@spglobal.com, and pricegroup@spglobal.com by Oct. 27, 2026.

For written comments, please provide a clear indication if comments are not intended for publication by Platts for public viewing. Platts will consider all comments received and make comments not marked as confidential available upon request.