What carbon footprint value has the IMO assigned to Brazilian second-crop corn ethanol, and how does it compare to conventional marine fuel?

The IMO has officially set the default carbon footprint for Brazilian second-crop corn ethanol at 20.8 grams of CO₂-equivalent per megajoule (g CO₂e/MJ), as established in May of this year. This is markedly lower than the current average greenhouse gas emission intensity of conventional marine fuel, which stands at 93.3 g CO₂e/MJ — a difference of over fourfold, underscoring the significant decarbonization potential of this biofuel in maritime applications.

How has Brazilian corn ethanol production evolved recently, and what does industry leadership say about its role alongside other biofuels in global shipping?

Brazilian corn ethanol production has grown dramatically: according to UNEM data, output for the 2025/26 crop season is approaching 10 billion liters, up from just 2.65 billion liters a decade earlier. Industry leaders emphasize that corn ethanol does not compete with sugarcane ethanol or biodiesel but rather complements them, especially in meeting the vast scale of global shipping fuel demand — estimated by Inpasa’s vice president Gustavo Mariano to equate to nearly 400 billion liters of ethanol when fully converted — requiring a diversified portfolio of sustainable biofuels for effective supply.

IMO Recognizes Brazil Corn Ethanol Carbon Footprint Baseline

Jun 22, 2026

The IMO officially recognized Brazil's corn ethanol carbon footprint baseline at 20.8g CO2e/MJ, positioning shipping as a key future market. With production nearing 10 billion liters, this move supports Brazil's biofuel expansion and maritime decarbonization efforts.

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