ANP Opens Public Consultation on the Review of Waterborne Fuel Specifications and the Facilitation of Biofuel Use in Maritime Transport Public Comments DEADLINE September 10, 2026; Public Hearing September 23, 2026

July 29, 2026

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by Tiago do Monte Macedo, Juliana Senna, and Gabrielle Medeiros (Mayer/Brown) On July 27, 2026, Brazil’s National Agency of Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels (“ANP”) published Public Consultation and Hearing Notice No. 15/2026, for the review of ANP Resolution No. 903/2022, which establishes the specifications for waterborne fuels marketed in Brazilian territory (marine diesel oil and marine fuel oil).

The purpose is to incorporate biofuels and renewable fuels into Brazilian waterborne transport, in the context of the energy transition and the International Maritime Organization’s (“IMO”) international decarbonization targets.

The proposal (i) aligns national specifications with ISO 8217/2024; and (ii) is encouraged by the progress of IMO discussions on carbon pricing and incentives for new fuels.

In terms of market context, operations involving the use of biofuels in Brazilian waterborne transport already exist, such that harmonizing national rules with ISO 8217 and the MARPOL Convention will standardize the regulatory treatment applicable to these operations.

The main changes proposed in the draft resolution are as follows.

The specification tables for waterborne fuels will be restructured, including classes for fuels containing biodiesel.

Limits and test methods from ISO 8217/2024 will be selectively incorporated, on a partial basis, in line with Brazilian market realities.

Biodiesel content of up to 100% (“B100”) for regular use in vessels (no longer as an exception), which could be sold directly to the end user.

Green diesel (“HVO”) and synthetic/GTL (Gas-to-Liquids) fuels will be treated as “drop-in” components, meaning chemically similar to fossil fuels and capable of replacing them without requiring engine or infrastructure adaptation.

Agents authorized to carry out biofuel blending will be defined, which eliminates the requirement for prior ANP authorization to use blends, replacing it with a simple notification to the Agency.

Quality control, document traceability, sampling, certification, and fuel identification rules will be improved, in line with the MARPOL Convention.

Prior experimental authorization from ANP will be provided for alternative fuels not covered by ISO 8217 (ethanol, methanol, ammonia, and hydrogen).

A prior authorization regime will be established for liquefied natural gas (“LNG”), without an experimental character, given the existence of well-established technical standards and the early stage of Brazil’s national LNG transport and supply infrastructure.

The public consultation will run for 45 days, from July 28 to September 10, 2026. On September 23, 2026, a public hearing will be held to discuss the matter with civil society and regulated agents.

The Global Energy and Ports and Maritime practices of Tauil & Chequer Advogados in association with Mayer Brown are available for any additional clarification on this topic. READ MORE

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ANP will hold public consultations and hearings regarding the revision of specifications for fuels used in maritime transport. (Brazil National Agency of Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels)

Excerpt from Brazil National Agency of Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels: The proposal updates Brazilian regulations to align with international standards, incorporates technological advancements, and includes rules for renewable and synthetic fuels.

he ANP Board approved today (July 24) the holding of a 45-day consultation and public hearing on a draft that revises ANP Resolution No. 903 of 2022, which establishes the specifications for fuels for maritime use marketed in the national territory (marine diesel oil and marine fuel oil).

The goal is to gather input from society to refine the proposed regulatory update, which aims to align national specifications with the technological evolution of the sector and the most recent international standards, especially the 7th edition of ISO 8217, published in 2024.

The regulatory review takes into account the changes observed in the marine fuel market, in the context of the energy transition and the international decarbonization targets for maritime transport established by the International Maritime Organization (IMO).

The proposal also seeks to align Brazilian regulations with international technical standards, favoring the incorporation of new fuels, including renewable and synthetic ones, into the national market.

The draft resolution includes, among other aspects:

The restructuring of fuel specification tables for marine vehicles, with the inclusion, for example, of classes intended for fuels containing biodiesel;
The selective incorporation of limits and test methods updated by the ISO 8217 standard;
The recognition of biodiesel in concentrations of up to 100% for regular maritime use, while preserving the voluntary addition of renewable components;
The treatment of green diesel and synthetic fuels as drop-in components, meaning they are chemically similar to fossil fuels and can replace them without requiring any adaptation to engines or existing distribution infrastructure.
The definition of agents authorized to carry out the blending and the possibility of marketing B100 biodiesel to corporate users for their own consumption on vessels; and
The improvement of rules for quality control, document traceability, sampling, certification and identification of supplied fuels, in accordance with Annex VI of the MARPOL Convention (International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships).

The proposal also foresees the possibility of prior authorization from the ANP (National Agency of Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels), on an experimental basis, for the use of alternative fuels not yet covered by ISO 8217, such as ethanol, methanol, ammonia, and hydrogen. Furthermore, it includes specific regulatory treatment for liquefied natural gas (LNG), subject to prior authorization from the Agency, considering the existence of consolidated technical standards for this fuel and the initial stage of the national transportation and supply infrastructure.

Before being submitted for public consultation, the proposal was discussed with government agencies and industry representatives, who provided contributions that were partially incorporated into the draft. The text also received input from the Agency's technical areas and underwent analysis by the Federal Attorney's Office at the ANP.

Update on 7/27: access the page for Public Consultation and Hearing No. 15/2026 September 23rd. READ MORE