International Maritime Organization Grants Consultative Status To Methanol Institute

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has granted the Methanol Institute (MI) consultative status, recongnizing MI’s ability to contribute to maritime regulatory development.

With this new status, MI can now attend IMO meetings as an observer and provide expert input on plenary and working group discussions.

MI Chief Executive Officer Gregory Dolan states that the institute has received the status at a crucial time. The shipping sector continues to make progress in the shift to alternative fuels, and there has been a considerable increase in orders for cleaner ships.

Dolan further added that they are grateful for the recognition and look forward to IMO’s continuous efforts toward net zero emissions by 2050.

MI intends to use its broad expertise and perspective to collaborate closely with IMO member countries.

The main focus will be on establishing strong regulatory frameworks for low-carbon shipping fuels, developing standards for the safe design, operation, and bunkering of methanol, and implementing market-based strategies to promote the use of low-carbon and renewable methanol.

MI has been actively promoting methanol as a marine fuel since its inclusion in the revised International Code for Gas-Fuelled Ships (The IGF Code) in 2020.

The institute has been involved in policy initiatives that support bunkering and crew training standards, collaborate on shipyard vessel designs, and engage in cross-industry groups to decarbonize the maritime supply chain.

The IMO Council’s decision to grant MI consultative status highlights the importance of their contribution to the shipping industry’s transition to cleaner fuels.

The Methanol Institute (MI) is a global trade association representing major methanol distributors, producers, shipowners, transporters and technology firms.

Reference: Methanol Institute