Methanol and ammonia are quickly moving up as alternatives to traditional shipping fuels, according to a new report from the Global Maritime Forum (GMF).

The study shows methanol is now ready for low-carbon operations, while ammonia has reached the piloting stage. This marks major progress compared to earlier years when both were still considered far from commercial use.

However, experts warn that technology alone won’t drive the change needed. The report stresses the importance of strong action from the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and governments to help speed up adoption.

Unlike oil-based fuels, methanol and ammonia can’t simply be plugged into today’s shipping systems. They need new infrastructure, both on ships and at ports, which makes early demonstration projects and pilot runs especially important to build reliable supply chains.

GMF breaks down the transition into three steps: proving a fuel works in real conditions, limited commercial use on specific routes, and finally reaching maturity where it becomes widely available with fewer barriers.

Based on insights from about 40 companies already testing or investing in these fuels, the report concludes that methanol and ammonia could play a leading role in cutting emissions from global shipping—if regulation, investment, and infrastructure move forward at the same pace.