Container shipA new and growing market for corn may be emerging on the open ocean. Major global shippers, including Maersk and Vale, are turning to ethanol as a cleaner, cost-effective marine fuel, with Maersk already completing two voyages on 100% ethanol. With the USDA projecting a record 17-billion-bushel U.S. corn supply for 2025-2026, American-grown corn is well-positioned as the primary feedstock to meet that demand.

The numbers behind this shift are significant for farmers. According to the Renewable Fuels Association, a 5% share of the global marine fuels market would add 1.5 billion bushels to annual global corn demand, enough to produce the 4-5 billion gallons of ethanol that the maritime shipping industry may require. That demand could support stronger corn prices and add a meaningful layer of market stability alongside tradition uses.

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