Alternative Fuels

Oldendorff, CBH in Australia’s first biofuel trial on sustainable barley shipment

‘We are very pleased to be collaborating with industry leader CBH to trial biofuel in our vessel, Edwine Oldendorff,’ states Oldendorff Carriers Melbourne.

Published

5 years ago

January 10, 2022

Admin

Edwine O. Portland Australia Mar 16 by Jan Mengel 3

Australia’s largest gain co-operative CBH Group on Friday (7 January) said it has partnered with dry bulk operator Oldendorff Carriers to conduct the first biofuel trial on a grain vessel exporting from Australia.

CBH Marketing and Trading is shipping 30,000 tonnes of sustainably certified malting barley aboard the Edwine Oldendorff, which is set to depart from the Albany Grain Terminal bound for Vietnam on Sunday.

The vessel will be bunkered with a biofuel blend for the trial, supplied by integrated energy company bp. The biofuel blend is estimated to produce about 15% less greenhouse gas emissions for this journey than conventional fossil fuels.

CBH Chief Marketing and Trading Officer Jason Craig said the co-operative was proud to be pioneering efforts, alongside two of its global partners, to explore ways to reduce its carbon footprint along the supply chain.

“Customers across the world are increasingly seeking to source sustainable products, including sustainable grain,” Craig said.

“It is our role, as Australia’s leading grain exporter, to take the necessary steps to lower carbon emissions along our supply chain.

“Biofuel is one low-carbon option that could be part of the solution to reducing emissions in the shipping industry.”

The malting barley, which is accredited as sustainable under the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification program, is set for Vietnam’s leading malting company, Intermalt.

Intermalt services a number of brewing customers, the largest being Heineken, which has set a target of a carbon neutral value chain by 2040.

“We need to meet the growing market demand for sustainable or carbon reduced grain by being proactive, practical and adapting,” Craig said.

“By doing this, we are making sure we can continue to keep our WA growers competitive.”

The trial will provide information on how the vessel engine responds to biofuel, its speed and efficiency, and measure the emissions it produces.

“We are excited to be working alongside our key global partners to conduct this trial, which will provide valuable information and help pave the way for a more sustainable grain industry,” he said.

Managing Director at Oldendorff Carriers Melbourne, Ben Harper, said: “We are very pleased to be collaborating with industry leader CBH to trial biofuel in our vessel, Edwine Oldendorff. Collaboration is crucial for us all to learn and share information about the best paths in our efforts to decarbonise the supply chain.”

In 2020-21, CBH sold 1.2 million tonnes of sustainably certified grain and reduced Scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions on a per tonne basis by 38% from the previous year.

“Our increased focus on sustainability means our co-op will remain strong for future generations and Western Australian growers are well placed to meet future market expectations,” Craig said.

Photo credit: Jan Mengel
Published: 10 January, 2022

Alternative Fuels

Olam Agri, Vitol Bunkers wrap up co-processed VLSFO bio-bunkering operation in Singapore

“MV Scion Mathilda” was supplied with 246.5 mt of co-processed VLSFO at the Port of Singapore, comprising 212 mt of conventional VLSFO and 34.5 mt of co-processed CNSL VLSFO.

Published

6 hours ago

August 21, 2026

Admin

Olam Agri, Vitol Bunkers wrap up co-processed VLSFO bio-bunkering operation in Singapore

Agri-business Olam Agri on Thursday (20 August) said it successfully completed Singapore’s first bio-bunkering operation with Vitol Bunkers, using Very Low Sulphur Fuel Oil (VLSFO) co-processed with Cashew Nutshell Liquid (CNSL), showcasing a waste-to-energy approach.

MV Scion Mathilda was supplied with 246.5 metric tonnes (mt) of co-processed VLSFO at the Port of Singapore, comprising 212 mt of conventional VLSFO and 34.5 mt of co-processed CNSL VLSFO. The product was supplied by Vitol Bunkers and procured by Olam Agri’s ocean freight business.

The fuel was subsequently consumed during a voyage from Caofeidian (China) to Rotterdam (Netherlands), followed by a ballast leg from Rotterdam to Barcarena (Brazil).

Total fuel consumption across the voyage comprised 1,354 mt of VLSFO, 101 mt of MGO and 34.1 mt of co-processed VLSFO. The vessel completed the voyage without any operational remarks, confirming the product’s performance in real-world conditions.

The operation marks a significant step forward in the search for practical, scalable alternatives to conventional marine fuels, and demonstrates that meaningful greenhouse gas (GHG) reductions can be achieved without any change to vessel operations.

Martin Fynbo, Head of Bunkers at Olam Agri’s ocean freight business, said: “The successful deployment of this product, achieving verified greenhouse gas mitigation alongside ensuring operational integrity, serves as a definitive proof of concept. This milestone provides validation to a traditionally risk-averse sector, demonstrating that a previously disregarded bio-product solution can both be operationally viable and sustainable.”

Sherman Yeo, Trading Manager, Vitol Bunkers, said: “This operation proves that co-processed VLSFO can be delivered and consumed at sea without any compromise to vessel performance or operational routine. The mass balance solution we have developed opens up a genuinely new avenue for GHG reduction in marine fuels.”

The co-processed VLSFO carries a GHG intensity of 2.02 gCO2eq/MJ, delivering savings of at least 120 MT CO2eq compared with conventional VLSFO on an equivalent basis. This outcome was achieved with no additional onboard handling or fuel treatment requirements.

Vitol’s co-processing and mass balancing methodology resolves a longstanding challenge in the use of CNSL as a marine biofuel. Direct blending of CNSL has historically been dismissed by the industry due to material compatibility and handling issues. By co-processing CNSL within the refinery stream, Vitol has opened a commercially viable pathway for CNSL to contribute to GHG reduction in shipping.

The co-processed VLSFO used in this operation conforms to RMG380 VLSFO grade and has the same chemical composition and quality as conventional fuel, eliminating the need for additional permissions or special clauses in charter party agreements.

“CNSL, derived as a by-product of cashew processing, represents an underutilised feedstock with genuine potential as a scalable marine biofuel component,” Olam Agri added.

“This trial demonstrates that with the right processing approach, it can be integrated into existing supply chains without disruption.”

Photo credit: Vitol
Published: 21 August, 2026

Alternative Fuels

China: CIMC Enric and Sinopec to team up on LNG, methanol bunker fuels in new deal

Under the new agreement, the companies will deepen cooperation across the LNG value chain and develop bunkering solutions including truck-to-ship bunkering services.

Published

6 hours ago

August 21, 2026

Admin

China: CIMC Enric and Sinopec to team up on LNG, methanol bunker fuels in new deal

Clean energy equipment and services provider CIMC Enric on Monday (17 August) said it has signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Sinopec Fuel Oil Sales Co Ltd, covering LNG, green methanol, shipbuilding and new energy for marine applications.

Under the new agreement, the companies will deepen cooperation across the LNG value chain and develop bunkering solutions including truck-to-ship bunkering services. They also plan to expand into emerging marine fuels and energy solutions, including green methanol and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).

The partnership will focus on five areas: energy-resource cooperation, shipbuilding, marine-fuel bunkering, vehicle-related services and integrated services.

The agreement was signed in Shenzhen on 14 August by Yang Xiaohu, executive director and president of CIMC Enric, and Xu Tao, deputy general manager and Party committee member of Sinopec Fuel Oil.

The cooperation will span commercial implementation, industry development and technology innovation.

The partnership comes as the shipping industry accelerates its transition towards lower-carbon fuels amid tightening International Maritime Organization emissions regulations and China’s carbon-reduction goals.

CIMC Enric specialises in equipment for the clean-energy sector, while Sinopec Fuel Oil leverages the resource and supply network of China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation (Sinopec). Both said their complementary capabilities provide a basis for moving beyond a conventional equipment-supply relationship towards broader cooperation integrating equipment, fuels, applications and technology.

The two companies began working together in October 2022, initially focusing on LNG and CNG storage and transportation equipment. Their cooperation has since expanded into marine equipment, green methanol bunkering, storage and transportation equipment, and external gas-source procurement.

The companies said they will establish a regular cooperation mechanism and develop detailed projects to accelerate implementation. The partnership is intended to strengthen collaboration between energy-equipment and energy-supply companies and support the maritime industry’s transition towards lower-carbon fuels.

Photo credit: CIMC Enric
Published: 21 August, 2026

Ammonia

Azane signs ammonia bunkering deal with Equinor, first deliveries due in H2 2026

Both signed a framework agreement for the supply of ammonia and the execution of truck-to-ship ammonia bunkering operations for ammonia-fuelled vessels.

Published

6 hours ago

August 21, 2026

Admin

Azane signs ammonia bunkering deal with Equinor, first deliveries due in H2 2026

Azane Fuel Solutions (Azane) on Thursday (20 August) said it has signed a framework agreement with Equinor Energy AS for the supply of ammonia and the execution of truck-to-ship ammonia bunkering operations for ammonia-fuelled vessels.

The first deliveries will commence during the second half of 2026. The agreement establishes a framework for future ammonia fuel deliveries and bunkering operations supporting the maritime industry’s transition towards lower-emission solutions.

“This agreement marks an important milestone for Azane and demonstrates growing confidence in ammonia as a marine fuel,” said Steinar Kostøl, CEO of Azane.

“Truck-to-ship bunkering offers a practical and flexible solution for the early adoption of ammonia-fuelled vessels while the broader ammonia fuel ecosystem continues to develop.”

The agreement covers truck-to-ship ammonia bunkering operations, where ammonia is transported to the quayside and transferred directly to the receiving vessel.

The contract supports Azane’s strategy of enabling near-term deployment of ammonia as a marine fuel while continuing to develop dedicated ammonia infrastructure for future market growth.

Photo credit: Azane Fuel Solutions
Published: 21 August, 2026