This research analyses the drivers and barriers to the adoption of green methanol as a renewable marine fuel, building on Global Innovation Systems. We conducted an event-history analysis tackling 1,600 unique international events extracted from over 7,000 international articles, complemented by 10 expert interviews. The research unpacks five distinct periods from 1981 to 2023, identifying the GIS maturation pathway, structural couplings and barriers to development. Green methanol evolved from spatially sticky to increasingly globally footloose, being heavily influenced by changing national and global policies. Initially targeting car racing and smog reduction in the United States, methanol gained acceptance as an environmentally friendly shipping fuel, leading to international collaborations and full-scale demonstration vessels. Green methanol stands out as a leading alternative fuel for the transition to a net-zero maritime industry, driven by the European Union and international frameworks. This comprehensive global GIS study provides insights into theory, policy and practice.