European vehicle logistics provider UECC (United European Car Carriers) on Tuesday (9 June) said it has partnered with car manufacturer BMW Group to continue to test marine Bio Fuel-Oil (BFO) on UECC’s ‘roll on, roll off’ (ro-ro) car carrying vessels.
BMW Group will be joining the previously announced trial with the GoodShipping Program , where BFO is being tested on UECC’s 140m, 2,080-vehicle carrier M/V Autosky.
By covering the fuel premium for a biofuel volume corresponding to BMW Group’s freight that will be shipped on M/V Autosky during the trial period, BMW Group will be able to claim a CO2 emission reduction of 80 to 90% for these shipments, totalling more than 400 tonnes of carbon, said UECC.
BMW Group’s participation in the project marks yet another significant step in the advancement of marine biofuel and climate friendly vehicle transportation, and contributes to enabling the continuation of biofuel deliveries to UECC after the trial period.
The first volume of biofuel was delivered to M/V Autosky on 16 March in the Port of Rotterdam.
M/V Autosky is currently testing BFO on the route between Zeebrugge, Belgium and Santander, Spain.
The BFO – based on cooking oil – being used for this trial was supplied by the leading biofuel company GoodFuels.
The marine biofuel ‘drops in’ to normal fuel tanks, is virtually sulfur oxide (SOx) free and delivers 80 to 90% well-to-exhaust CO2 reduction versus fossil equivalents.
The company notes that the joint trial proves that the means to reduce the carbon footprint of transporting goods and vehicles around the world already exist on the market and that second-generation advanced biofuels can be scaled to meet this demand.
“BMW Group’s participation to continue our trial on our ro-ro vessel M/V Autosky should signal to the automotive sector that the means to decarbonise are readily available and that our vessels are equipped to meet this most important of challenges for the shipping industry,” said Daniel Gent, Energy and Sustainability Manager, UECC
The GoodShipping Program requires shippers to commit to a reduction in their sea freight CO2 emissions, explained UECC.
In the following months, further options for continuing marine biofuel uptake within the ro-ro segment will be pursued, it added.
Related: Goodfuels to commence Bio-fuel trials with UECC
Photo credit: UECC
Published: 10 June, 2020
The ports of Singapore, Rotterdam and Japan will undertake development of a roadmap on adoption of clean marine fuels in support of decarbonisation.
Unidentified oil major is a European multinational integrated oil and gas company supplying fuel to a client.
EUR 8 million has been allocated for a ro-ro demonstration vessel running on hydrogen as well as the establishment of a hydrogen supply chain and bunkering platform.
‘We have an ambition of moving all vessels on long-term contract with us to shore power,’ says spokesman.
The vessels will be powered completely by large-capacity lithium ion batteries and are slated to go into service as bunker vessels in Tokyo Bay, said Asahi Tanker.
Completed in March, the 12-month study covers the technological, environmental and economic considerations in adopting alternative fuels, says Singapore Maritime Institute.
Caroline Yang, President of SSA, addresses issues earlier raised by players; including PMC No. 04, the seven-day restriction, contactless bunkering, sampling point, hose connection, and more.
IBIA Asia, ABIS, sources from Singapore’s bunkering and surveying companies, and an industry veteran share with Manifold Times the issues expected from MPA’s latest Covid-19 measures.
The top three positive movers in the 2020 bunker supplier list are Hong Lam Fuels Pte Ltd (+13); Chevron Singapore Pte Ltd (+12); and SK Energy International (+8), according to MPA list.
‘We will operate in the Singapore bunkering market from the Tokyo, with support from local staff at Sumitomo Corporation Singapore,’ source tells Manifold Times.
Changes include abolishing advance declaration of bunkers as dangerous cargo, reducing pilotage fees on vessels receiving bunkers, and a ‘whitelist’ system for bunker tankers.
Claim relates to deliveries of MGO to the vessels Pacific Diligence, Pacific Valkyrie, Pacific Defiance, Crest Alpha 1, and Pacific Warlock between March 2020 to April 2020.
