US Lawmakers Present Act for Renewable Fuel in Ocean-Going Ships

U.S. Politicians Push for Renewable Fuel Usage in Ocean-Going Vessels

U.S. Representatives Mariannette Miller-Meeks and John Garamendi have introduced the Renewable Fuel for Ocean-Going Vessels Act. This legislation aims to preserve RIN credits under the Renewable Fuel Standard for the use of renewable fuel in marine vessels.

The proposed legislation designates marine renewable fuel as an additional renewable fuel, similar to jet fuel. This designation enables corporations to preserve RINs within the program.

Ocean-going cargo ships, tankers, and passenger vessels require low-carbon, low-sulfur biodiesel and renewable diesel, providing an additional market for biofuels. The legislation aims to generate RINs for marine renewable fuel without imposing obligations on any parties.

“The transition to cleaner, renewable fuels can start in California,” said Garamendi, emphasizing the role of California’s skilled, union refinery workers in producing renewable biofuel for ocean-going vessels.

Monte Shaw, Executive Director of the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association, noted that the legislation promotes the use of biomass-based diesel in sea vessels, positioning biofuels as a homegrown solution for air, land, and sea.

The legislation was appreciated by Clean Fuels Alliance America, the American Soybean Association, and the North American Renderers Association among several other groups advocating for the increased use of low-carbon fuels and carbon emissions reduction in international shipping and travel.

According to Suzanne Shirbroun, Iowa Soybean Association President, the sustainable marine fuel is projected to cross 325 billion dollars by 2036. The goal is for soybean farmers and biodiesel producers to capture some of that value.

The legislation has been designed to remove regulatory roadblocks and facilitate the production of low-carbon biofuel and renewable diesel to meet shipping companies’ needs. It also attempts to retain RINs for fuel used in ocean-going vessels that are currently being forfeited.

The policy is noted to exclude “fuel used in ocean-going vessels” from the definition of transportation fuels and refiners’ and blenders’ obligations, which the legislation aims to rectify.