FincoEnergies rolls out first Proof of Compliance for Dutch biofuel bunkering
FincoEnergies is shaking up the Dutch biofuel bunker market by introducing a Proof of Compliance (PoC) document, making it the first supplier to offer shipping companies an official ISCC-certified sustainability record with rebated biofuel stems.
CHART: As a bunker supplier, FincoEnergies can now issue a PoC to bunker buyers. ENGINE
Closing the certification gap
The move addresses a long-standing regulatory gap and could set a new standard for biofuel documentation in the region.
When bunker suppliers in the Netherlands sell sustainable biofuels, they’re required to submit a Proof of Sustainability (PoS) to the Dutch Emissions Authority (NEa) to generate compliance credits (HBEs). But under ISCC rules, a PoS can only be issued once.
This means shipping companies are left without their own copy, receiving instead a Biofuel Delivery Statement (BDS), a non-certified, supplier-made document that lacks formal standing.
The PoC could change the game. It mirrors the original PoS data and references its submission to the NEa, giving bunker buyers a proper ISCC-backed record. This provides much-needed transparency and could strengthen shipping companies' hand when reporting under sustainability schemes.
A step toward better documentation
The PoC might also carry weight under the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) and FuelEU Maritime rules. Current EU guidance allows for “equivalent proof of compliance documentation” when a PoS isn’t available. Though the PoC hasn’t been formally approved for this purpose, it could fit the bill, making it a potentially valuable tool for shipping companies facing tightening regulatory demands.
No other Dutch biofuel bunker suppliers have announced they are ready to offer PoCs, and FincoEnergies could have a first-mover edge. If compliance authorities and verifiers accept the document, it could push others to follow suit.
The move also highlights a stark difference in sustainability controls across regions. In the Netherlands, every PoS is logged in the NEa’s system and independently audited. Elsewhere, such as in Belgium and Singapore, sustainability documentation often relies on certification schemes alone, without national-level verification.
What it means for shipping
While it’s still unclear if the PoC will gain formal EU recognition, its arrival offers bunker buyers a more credible sustainability record than the improvised BDS. If the industry embraces it, the PoC could raise the bar for transparency and traceability in Dutch biofuel bunkering.
By Erik Hoffmann
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