Wallem publishes whitepaper on best practice guidance for bio bunker fuels

Hong Kong-based ship manager Wallem Group on Tuesday (20 May) published a new whitepaper to ensure ships, ships systems and crews are fully prepared to load, store and use biofuels in everyday vessel operations.

The company said ‘Marine Biofuels: Adoption, use and best practice’ offers a comprehensive guidance on the precautions owners and crew need to consider before and during use.

With a lower calorific value than fossil fuels, biofuels present adoption challenges that require close attention from procurement, technical and vessel operating personnel, noted Abhijit Ghosh, Head of Maritime Technology and Innovation, Ship Management, Wallem Group.

The whitepaper examined the regulatory landscape surrounding marine biofuels, but also the specifics of IMO compliance, and the transparency needed to use fuels that vary batch to batch. It explains how these blends of Fatty Acid Methyl Ester (FAME) and residual or distillate fuels impact storage tanks, fuel systems, machinery, and crew training, also reflecting on the need for additional insurance cover.

Based on experience, Wallem has particular recommendations for owners on the assurances they need from equipment suppliers before introducing biofuels. It also explores the consequences for biofuel users of improper blending, acidity, biodegradation and microbial growth, fouling, waxing and clogging.

The publication provides best practice recommendations for testing, materials selection, segregation, temperature control, tank cleaning and fuel line flushing. 

For long-term biofuel use, Wallem recommended that engines be retrofitted with hardened fuel pumps and corrosion-resistant coatings.

The whitepaper also considered crew training gaps and offered recommendations for monitoring, measuring, and checking biofuel use to ensure that personnel, systems, and the ship remain safe.

“The combination of a centralised digital system for real-time tracking and analysis of biofuel consumption and a skilled and well-trained crew can be transformative for enabling the future-ready maritime fleet”, said Ghosh.

Note: The whitepaper ‘Marine Biofuels: Adoption, use and best practice’ can be downloaded here. 

Photo credit: Chris Pagan on Unsplash
Published: 21 May, 2025