TFG Marine supplies first biofuel stem to Western Bulk vessel

Global bunker supplier TFG Marine supplied a B30 biofuel-VLSFO blend with carbon offsets to one of Western Bulk Chartering's vessels, saying biofuel stems are becoming more mainstream.

PHOTO: Western Bulk Chartering-owned bulk carrier, the Beks Ceyda. TFG Marine

The B30 biofuel blend will cut carbon dioxide emissions by around 25% compared to VLSFO, and the remaining 2,200 mt of carbon dioxide emissions will be countered using carbon offsets, says TFG Marine.

The B30 blend was supplied to Western Bulk Chartering’s bulk carrier, the Beks Ceyda in the Port of Rotterdam.

“This delivery shows that we are moving in the right direction as we were able to sail the Mv Beks Ceyda for almost two months and complete two voyages with a combined greenhouse gas impact close to zero,” Jonas Larsen, head of bunkers and derivatives at Western Bulk.

Rotterdam included bio-bunkers in its sales figures for the first time last year. Sales more than doubled from 52,000 mt in the first quarter, to 127,000 mt in the fourth. Bio-fuel oil blends - which would have included the B30 biofuel-VLSFO stems supplied to Western Bulk - made up 83% of bio-bunkers sales. Bio-distillates and a small volume of bio-LNG made up the rest.

TFG Marine regularly supplies biofuel in the ARA region, says Kenneth Dam, the company's global head of bunkering.

The bunker supplier recently supplied B30 biofuel blends for tanker vessel trials conducted by the Rome-based d’Amico Group, which resulted in lower carbon dioxide emissions, reduced carbon intensity and stable nitrogen oxide emissions.

TFG Marine is a joint venture between commodity trader Trafigura, and shipowners Frontline and Golden Ocean.