Correction: GCMD unveils timelines for pilot tests of crude algae oil, bio-methanol and renewable LNG
“GCMD has commenced testing of crude algae oil in labs to assess it viability as a marine fuel and its next steps include engine tests before supply chain trials,” a GCMD spokesperson confirmed to ENGINE.
PHOTO: Bunkering of a tanker operated by Eastern Pacific Shipping. LinkedIn of EPS
The correction expands on a clarification from a GCMD spokesperson regarding the timelines mentioned in a previously published story. GCMD spokesperson has clarified that the organisation has not made any public announcements on the timelines pertaining to these two initiatives.
Biofuels derived from algae have chemical properties similar to fossil fuels and can be used directly in diesel engines without any modifications. The US Environmental Protection Agency estimates that biofuels derived from algae-based fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by more than 60% compared to fossil fuels.
GCMD shared an “assurance framework for drop-in fuels” in its recent report outlining its five-year outlook from 2021-2026.
“GCMD has commenced testing of crude algae oil in labs to assess it viability as a marine fuel and its next steps include engine tests before supply chain trials,” a spokesperson told ENGINE. However, the spokesperson clarified that the organisation has not yet announced a timeline for this project.
Eastern Pacific Shipping (EPS) confirmed last year that the third-generation biofuel will be bunkered on one of its vessels "to test and assess its potential as an alternative marine fuel.”
“The aggregation of demand for biofuels at ports will result in cost savings for shipowners and fuel purchases through optimised use of land-side storage facilities and bunkering vessels and facilitate assessments of GHG emissions abatement on a well-to-wake basis of individual vessels and across fleets,” EPS said.
Marine fuel producers like Neste and TotalEnergies are also examining crude algae oil as a potential bio-feedstock, according to their company websites.
In addition, “GCMD has [also] started scoping pilots for drop-in synthetic LNG, bio-LNG and bio methanol for our fuels assurance framework,” the spokesperson confirmed. According to the spokesperson, the timeline for this project has also not been announced.
“The fuel transition is hard. And it is necessary. Grounded by hard numbers and scientific facts, we have launched four initiatives to help address some of the sector’s biggest pain points that limit our pace of decarbonisation,” GCMD’s chief executive, Lynn Loo said in a social media post.
By Konica Bhatt
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