The National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) has launched its first-ever pilot program for sustainable marine fuels.
Sustainable marine fuel pilot program
The pilot program is intended to make new high-performance, 93 octane, ethanol-free premium gasoline available to boaters for the first time at a local marina. Beginning in July 2024, Purfuels gasoline, a partially renewable gasoline produced by Hyperfuels, will be available at St Andrews Marina in Panama City, Florida. The pilot program, in partnership with Suzuki Marine, a multinational mobility manufacturer, will help identify the process and systems needed to ship, store and distribute sustainable marine fuels, to help shape distribution models around the country and globe.
Hyperfuels has been focused on the development of sustainable marine fuels in Texas for several years, first with renewable isobutanol and now with Ideal EMP from LyondellBasell.
Ideal EMP is a non-alcohol, high-octane blendstock with renewable content, for the ethanol-free gasoline market. Purfuels will be distributed by SC Rowe, a locally-owned fuel business, with three generations of service to the Panama City area. This specific formulation of Purfuels reportedly reduces CO2 emissions by up to 30% more than E10 fuels at the same renewable content and is a first step in reducing carbon emissions from recreational boating. Future fuels, such as synthetic or e-fuels, have the potential to become fully carbon neutral.
Long-term sustainability goals
“As an industry, we’re continually looking at innovative solutions that enhance the boating experience for our country’s nearly 100 million boaters who turn to the water for wellness, adventure and connection to the outdoors,” said Frank Hugelmeyer, president and CEO of NMMA. “Today is a major milestone in our collective industry efforts to make sustainable marine fuels available to boaters and begin to explore how, working in partnership with government, we can bring new technologies to market that advance our commitment to the boating public.”
“Unlike current fuel distribution systems, which handle hundreds of millions of gallons by pipeline or barge, small quantities of fuel require rail or truck transportation and local storage at distribution sites,” said Jeff Wasil, senior director of environmental, health and safety compliance for NMMA. “These additional costs can add US$0.25 to US$1.00 per gallon, depending on the location of the marina relative to the local fuel distribution site. These sustainable marine fuels have been optimized specifically for use in recreational boats which provide many benefits to the boating consumer such as higher performance, higher octane, more stable storage without phase-separation and reduced carbon emissions.”
“The City of Panama City is honored to be the first marina in the state of Florida offering a high-performance ethanol-free, sustainable marine fuel,” said Jonathan Hayes, city manager of Panama City. “We are excited to be on the cutting edge of the recreational boating industry’s continued emission reduction efforts alongside our partners in the public and private sectors. We are privileged to have such a great community partner like Suzuki Marine.”
“Sustainable marine fuels have incredible potential to further reduce emissions and lower the environmental impact of recreational boating across the nation,” said Brandon Cerka, general manager of sales and marketing for Suzuki Marine. “The key lies in making these fuels more accessible to the boating public at local marinas and fuel docks. For many months, we’ve been working with local fuel distributors SC Rowe, LyondellBassell, Hyperfuels and St Andrews Marina to make this possible. This is a great day for boaters in the Florida Panhandle. We’re hopeful this will help create a groundswell of interest across Florida and eventually nationwide.”
In related news, United European Car Carriers recently collaborated with maritime advisory organization Lloyd’s Register FOBAS, engine manufacturer Wartsila and biofuel supplier ACT Group to assess and evaluate a cashew nut shell liquid-based biofuel. Click here to read the full story.
