Platts proposes new US low-carbon methanol assessments

Platts, part of S&P Global Commodity Insights, is proposing to launch a daily low-carbon methanol marine fuel assessment in the US, effective Nov. 17.

The new assessments would aid pricing transparency in the methanol marine fuel market amid evolution of the international maritime regulatory framework , and would replace existing carbon-accounted methanol assessments, which were proposed for discontinuation here.

The proposed assessment would reflect material supplied on the following terms:

Carbon intensity: Maximum 32.9 gCO2e/MJ emissions from production. In accordance with the prevailing EU Renewable Energy Directive, any transport biofuel must meet a minimum of 65% reduction in GHG emissions against the 94 gCO2e/MJ comparator, which is 32.9 gCO2e/MJ. Non-biological origin renewable fuels must demonstrate a minimum of 70% reduction in GHG emissions against the 94 gCO2e/MJ comparator, amounting to 28.2 gCO2e/MJ. FuelEU Maritime regulations affect any intra-EU/European Economic Area journeys, as well as journeys to and from EU/EEA countries.

Globally, FuelEU Maritime regulations, which affect any intra-EU/European Economic Area journeys as well as journeys to and from EU/EEA countries, remain the most formalized and underpin the shipping industry's commitments globally. As such, this new assessment would consider methanol, which can meet the above GHG reduction requirements.

Certification: The low-carbon methanol bunker stems must adhere to a proof of sustainability obtained in the framework of voluntary schemes approved by the EU Commission, such as ISCC or any other recognized industry equivalent.

Physical specifications: The methanol must conform to the latest International Methanol Producers and Consumers Association (IMPCA) Reference Specification with a minimum purity of 99.85%, maximum water content of 0.1% by weight and maximum ethanol content of 50 mg/kg.

Logistics costs: The Houston ship channel delivered low-carbon MMF price assessments include logistics costs from the terminal to the barge and charges for delivery into the receiving vessel.

Market information for product with other specifications and non-standard terms may be considered for the assessment and may be subject to normalization to the standard specifications and terms. In the absence of pricing indications, Platts may use a netback calculation based on the low-carbon methanol marine fuel delivered Rotterdam assessment.

The US Gulf Coast assessments would be assessed at 1:30 pm Central Standard Time and follow the US publishing schedule.

The assessments would appear on Platts Connect, in Europe and US Petrochemicalscan and Solventswire, and on Platts Price Point database.

Details of the existing Platts assessments for low-carbon methanol marine fuel can be found in the subscriber notes for Singapore , as well as for Shanghai and Rotterdam .

Please send all feedback, comments and questions to petchems@spglobal.com and pricegroup@spglobal.com by Oct. 14, 2025.

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