Switzerland | September 18, 2025 – Just weeks after its official launch, the Global Ethanol Association (GEA) is already taking center stage on the international energy and shipping agenda. The non-profit organization, headquartered in Neuchâtel, Switzerland, will be represented at the Global Ethanol Summit 2025 (GES25) by its Secretary General and Co-Founder, Morten Thomas Jacobsen, who will headline a critical session on “Maritime Opportunities” on October 19 during the summit’s technical workshop in Washington, D.C.
This presentation will highlight ethanol’s emerging role in decarbonizing the maritime industry, aligning with GEA’s mission to accelerate clean, scalable fuel alternatives across global shipping lanes.
Formally launched on September 5, 2025, the Global Ethanol Association is a newly formed alliance of ethanol producers, shipowners, engine manufacturers, fuel suppliers, port operators, and innovators committed to making ethanol a key enabler in the global energy transition — starting with one of the hardest-to-decarbonize sectors: international shipping.
At the heart of this initiative is GEA’s Marine Fuel Sector Initiative, a program designed to drive real-world adoption of ethanol as a low-emission, globally available marine fuel. The initiative focuses on demand creation, supply chain development, infrastructure readiness, and investment mobilization.
Morten Thomas Jacobsen is a maritime executive with over 35 years of international experience in commercial roles across ship-owning, operations, and fuel supply. For the past five years, he has dedicated his career to driving the maritime fuel transition, working at the intersection of innovation, policy, and practical implementation.
As Secretary General of the Global Ethanol Association and Head of its Marine Sector Activity, Jacobsen leads the organization’s global effort to:
Jacobsen’s upcoming session at GES25 will outline these goals and offer a comprehensive roadmap for ethanol’s integration into global marine fuel strategies.
The Global Ethanol Summit 2025, hosted by the U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council, will gather over 450 delegates from 40 countries, including policy-makers, researchers, ethanol producers, marine fuel stakeholders, and government officials. It’s the premier event for exploring ethanol’s global market potential, technological breakthroughs, and role in decarbonizing hard-to-abate sectors.
Jacobsen’s session on Maritime Opportunities will delve intohow ethanol can play a transformative role in the future of sustainable marine fuels. This aligns directly with GEA’s flagship program, the Marine Fuel Sector Initiative, which is designed to catalyze ethanol’s real-world adoption across shipping corridors worldwide.
GEA’s presence at the event underscores the critical importance of ethanol as a ready-to-deploy solution for hard-to-abate sectors.
Event Details
A Global Call for Maritime Transformation
The maritime sector, responsible for nearly 3% of global CO₂ emissions, faces mounting pressure to transition to greener alternatives. Ethanol, with its global availability, low carbon intensity, and drop-in compatibility, offers a realistic path to immediate reductions.
The Global Ethanol Association is an independent, non-profit international organization dedicated to accelerating the adoption of ethanol-basedenergy solutionsacross industries.
Headquartered in Neuchâtel, Switzerland, GEA acts as a catalyst for cross-sector collaboration, technological innovation, and market development — with a primary focus on maritime decarbonization as a launchpad for broader impact.
Technology in Action: WinGD Joins as Founding Member
Among GEA’s founding members is WinGD Ltd., a Swiss marine engine pioneer whose advanced multi-fuel technologies support ethanol-based fuels like bioethanol and e-ethanol. WinGD’s involvement affirms the technical readiness of the industry to shift toward cleaner fuels.
