A new initiative called the Sustainable Maritime Fuels Collaborative (SMF Collaborative) has officially launched in the Pacific Northwest.
Spearheaded by Washington Maritime Blue and supported by the Port of Seattle, Port of Tacoma, The Northwest Seaport Alliance, Washington State Department of Commerce, and CHARGE, the effort aims to accelerate the adoption of sustainable maritime fuels and zero-emission technologies across the region’s maritime industry.
The Collaborative will help guide the transition toward net-zero emissions by 2050, aligning with international climate goals and enhancing the region’s competitiveness in the global shipping industry.
The SMF Collaborative brings together a diverse range of stakeholders from across the maritime value chain—including ports, vessel operators, government agencies, fuel providers, workforce organizations, and community groups—to develop standards, policies, and infrastructure that support the production and use of low- and zero-emission fuels. It also focuses on workforce development and environmental justice by engaging near-port communities and creating clean energy job pathways.
Funded in part by the Washington State Legislature and facilitated by the Port of Seattle, the initiative is currently in its early planning stages. Over the next 18 months, a Founding Leadership Committee will refine the Collaborative’s mission, strategy, and organizational structure, with a formal report due by June 2025.
