(NAFB.com) – In February, the U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council conducted a maritime fuels mission in Panama with a delegation of ethanol industry leaders and Council members. USGBC Regional Director of Latin America Marri Tejada  said, “Maritime fuel could be a promising opportunity for the U.S. ethanol industry, representing the next frontier in biofuel integration.” She also said Panama is critical to the global maritime sector, and developing interest in U.S. ethanol as a maritime fuel input in this strategic location will elevate and highlight its benefits to the shipping industry worldwide. During the visit, the delegation engaged a broad range of stakeholders, including government officials, the Panama Canal Authority, private sector operators, industry associations, and members of the international maritime community. A key objective was assessing the feasibility of integrating ethanol into Panama’s maritime fuel sector, aligned with the country’s decarbonization roadmap, and the Panama Canal’s evolving fuel strategy.