OOCL completes biofuel bunker trial in Singapore
Hong Kong-based shipping line OOCL has completed a 41-day trial run of a biofuel blend supplied by Chevron Singapore.
PHOTO: OOCL vessel sailing by the Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco. OOCL
The trial was carried out on a 4578-TEU container ship, M.V. OOCL YOKOHAMA, which was bunkered with nearly 2,000 mt of B22 marine biofuel - a blend of 22% biofuel with conventional VLSFO.
The biofuel comprised of used cooking oil and methyl ester.
The vessel was bunkered in the Port of Singapore and commenced its round-trip journey to Australia on 26 June.
The company claims this biofuel blend can reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 15-20% on a lifecycle assessment. It says that no engine modification is required to use this biofuel blend.
“Biofuels are considered to be one of the most credible options to enable the shipping industry both to meet future regulatory requirements, and to advance further with the transition towards decarbonization,” OOCL's chief executive Kenny Ye said.
Exploration of biofuels has been gaining traction among shipowners to reduce near-term carbon emissions as these can used as drop-in fuels after being blended with conventional fuels.
Earlier this month, US-based cruise line Virgin Voyages teamed up with the Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials (RSB) and three biofuel providers - Argent Energy, GoodFuels and Twelve – to develop a bio-bunker supply.
Also this month, GoodFuels supplied biofuel blends to a cruise ship operated by US-based Holland America Line in Rotterdam.
By Tuhin Roy
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