RFOcean has signed a binding long-term offtake agreement with ETFuels to purchase e-methanol at a fixed price from 2030, positioning the shipping company ahead of tightening EU maritime emissions rules.

According to ETFuels, the contract is a fully executed commercial agreement structured to support project finance, rather than a letter of intent or memorandum of understanding. The fixed-price structure is intended to provide revenue certainty for fuel production while giving RFOcean cost predictability.

The agreement comes in the context of the EU’s FuelEU Maritime regulation, which entered into force in 2025 and introduces progressively stricter limits on the carbon intensity of marine fuels. Shipping companies that fail to comply face escalating penalties.

RFOcean has ordered eight diesel-electric, methanol-ready or methanol-fitted chemical tankers for European regional trade. The company said securing long-term supply of compliant fuel at predictable prices supports both regulatory compliance and commercial competitiveness.

Fredrik Rye-Florentz, CEO of RFOcean, said: "This isn't just about compliance, it's about competitive positioning. We believe compliant fuel will be scarce. By locking in supply now at fixed prices, we can offer our customers certainty and be at the forefront of a development which makes commercial sense today."

For ETFuels, the transaction underpins its e-methanol production platform across Europe and the United States. The company develops large-scale e-methanol and e-SAF projects, targeting shipping and aviation markets seeking regulation-compliant fuels.

Lara Naqushbandi, CEO of ETFuels, stated: "This is a landmark transaction. It shows that astute shipping companies are willing to move early and lock in green fuel supply. The deal also sends a clear message to policymakers: stable regulations unlock investment. Any weakening of the EU's green fuel standards would undermine momentum at exactly the wrong time."

The agreement also reflects concerns around fuel price volatility and geopolitical supply risks. By sourcing domestically produced e-methanol compliant with EU standards, RFOcean aims to reduce exposure to fluctuations in the fossil fuel market while ensuring access to FuelEU Maritime-compliant fuels for its fleet and customers.

RFOcean describes itself as a fully integrated European shipping company focused on chemical tanker operations under FuelEU Maritime, with an emphasis on methanol-capable tonnage and lower-emission vessel design.