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FOBAS: Blending of ‘unestablished’ biofuel feedstocks in marine fuels

FOBAS released a bulletin highlighting on ships receiving bunker fuels containing an ‘unestablished’ blend component which could potentially result in engine fuel pump and injector related damage.
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Lloyd’s Register Fuel Oil Bunkering Analysis and Advisory Service (FOBAS) on Friday (15 March) released a bulletin highlighting on ships receiving bunker fuels containing ‘unestablished’ blend component which potentially result in engine fuel pump and injector related damage : 

Recently a number of ships in the Rotterdam area have, undeclared to them, received fuels with up to around 20% of an ‘unestablished’ blend component. One of these ‘unestablished’ products appears to have been a Cashew Nut Shell Liquid (CNSL) from undeclared source materials or production processes. 

This was highlighted to FOBAS as a result of investigating a number of ships reporting having experienced engine fuel pump and injector related damage leading to operational problems which have been linked to the presence of ‘unestablished’ CNSL in the fuel as supplied.

Over the last year, LR FOBAS has had at least four ships reporting similar operational issues from bunkers loaded in Rotterdam, which have been subsequently identified with a significant presence of ‘unestablished’ CNSL. This indicates the continued practice on the part of some suppliers blending ‘unestablished’ biofuel feedstocks without essential evidence of its suitability for use in marine machinery and furthermore without any notification to the receiving ship to be so alerted.

This practice is contrary to the guidance by IMO on Best practice for suppliers on the quality of fuel oil delivered to ships. MEPC.1 /Circ. 875/Add.1 section ‘5’– where it states that:

5.3 Blend components should be tried and tested so that their typical properties and suitability for bunker production and how they combine with other components is well understood…… and

5.4 Where there are any uncertainties as to the nature and quality of blend component, any issue should be identified and resolved before its use in the production of bunkers.

Recognising that there is a wide range of possible biofuels, ISO 8217 specifies the now accepted bio-fuels: FAME and paraffinic fuels such as HVO, defined by the specifications of EN 14214, ASTM D6751 and EN 15940 respectively. These have been well tried and tested at sea over the past few years and are now generally acknowledged by equipment manufacturers (OEM), Classification societies (Class) and flag Administrations as acceptable ‘drop-in’ fuels.

It should be further understood by suppliers and ship operators that because of the diversity of feedstocks and production processes ‘No one biofuel / bio-oil product can be used as a reference fuel for all biofuels. Whilst blending in a marine fuel might result in the ISO 8217 tables 1 and 2 parameter limits being met, the onus is on the supplier to ensure that the delivered product has met the fundamental and inescapable requirement of complying with the workmanship clause defined under Clause 5 of ISO 8217.

LR FOBAS over the past year has been jointly working with a ship owner and a supplier to explore the use of one of the forms of their CNSL as a blend component. This collaboration has aimed at resolving the challenges of using CNSL, by carrying out a structured and phased process, as required by Class, which has included extensive engine test bench trials and analytical assessment of the specific form of CNSL blend on offer by the supplier. The outcome of this to date has led to a provisional acceptance of this form of CNSL, cleared by OEM, Class, and flag Administration to proceed to the sea-trial stage on a specific engine for subsequent approval.

In view of the above, it is recommended that a precautionary measure is taken at the bunker procurement stage where the purchaser makes clear that no biofuel product is to be used as a blend feedstock unless otherwise offered as an ‘established’ biofuel and agreed by all parties, thus seeking transparency from the supplier on the blend components to be used. It should be underlined that the use of any bioproduct as a blend component in marine fuels is not allowed by Clause 5 ISO 8217:2017 unless the end-user agrees to receive an established bio-grade fuel.

Furthermore, as always, attention should be given to the collection of bunker samples. It should be ensured that all parties have witnessed the sampling process and have signed and witnessed forms accordingly. The supporting documentation should include records of all the samples considered representative of the fuel as loaded.

 

Photo credit: Louis Reed from Unsplash
Published: 18 March 2024

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Biofuel

Hong Kong: CPN hits new record for China’s largest B24 biofuel bunkering operation

Chimbusco Pan Nation delivered 6,300 mt of B24-VLSFO in Hong Kong to boxship “XIN LOS ANGELES” on 15 May, exceeding its previous record of 5,500 mt delivered in February 2025.
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May 16, 2025

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Hong Kong: CPN hits new record for China's largest B24 biofuel bunkering operation

Hong Kong-based bunker supplier Chimbusco Pan Nation Petro-Chemical (CPN) on Friday (16 May) said it has set a record for China’s largest B24 marine biofuel bunkering operation.

CPN said it delivered 6,300 metric tonnes (mt) of B24-VLSFO in Hong Kong to container ship XIN LOS ANGELES on 15 May. 

The supply exceeded CPN’s previous record of 5,500 mt delivered to the same ship in February 2025.

“This collaboration reinforces CPN’s ability to execute large-scale marine biofuel bunkering with precision and reliability,” the company said in a social media post.

“By consistently supplying large volumes of B24 marine biofuel, CPN supports reduced carbon emissions and sustainable shipping practices globally.”

Related: CPN achieves largest B24 bio bunker fuel delivery in Hong Kong and China

 

Photo credit: Chimbusco Pan Nation Petro-Chemical
Published: 16 May, 2025

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Alternative Fuels

St1 delivers first locally produced biomethane to Swedish maritime sector for bunkering

St1 and its venture St1 Biokraft delivered their own Swedish-produced liquefied biomethane to Terntank’s vessel “Tern Ocean” in a bunkering operation at Port of Gothenburg.

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May 16, 2025

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St1 delivers first locally produced biomethane to Swedish maritime sector for bunkering

Finnish energy company St1 and its venture St1 Biokraft delivered their own Swedish-produced liquefied biomethane, also known as bio-LNG, to the local maritime sector for the first time, according to Port of Gothenburg on Thursday (15 May). 

Terntank’s vessel Tern Ocean was bunkered with the biomethane at the Port of Gothenburg. 

St1 and St1 Biokraft are now aiming to become large-scale suppliers of biomethane for shipping, while the Port of Gothenburg continues to pursue its goal of becoming Scandinavia’s primary bunkering hub for alternative fuels.

The bunkering operation recently carried out at quay 519 in the Port of Gothenburg was an important pilot test for St1 and St1 Biokraft as suppliers of biomethane to the maritime sector. The operation also served as a pressure test of the collaboration required across all parts of the value chain, with Terntank, gas infrastructure owner Nordion Energi, and the producers themselves all playing crucial roles.

“In order to accelerate the maritime sector’s transition, it is essential that all actors across the value chain pull in the same direction, cooperate, and translate ambitions into practice. We are pleased to have all of this in place at the Port of Gothenburg,” said Therese Jällbrink, Head of Renewable Energy at the Port of Gothenburg.

“Liquefied biomethane is an important part of the fuel palette that must be available to support the shipping industry’s transition. It is one of the fuels the Port of Gothenburg is working with within the framework of green shipping corridors, aimed at creating the conditions for fossil-free logistics chains. This bunkering operation brings us another step closer to our ambition of becoming Scandinavia’s primary bunkering hub for alternative fuels.”

St1 and St1 Biokraft have ambitions to become large-scale suppliers of liquefied biomethane for the maritime sector, with several new production facilities planned across Sweden.

In 2026, energy infrastructure company Nordion Energi will build a liquefaction facility for biomethane at the Port of Gothenburg, which will be connected to the West Sweden gas grid. With the facility in place, a new opportunity will be created for biomethane producers connected to the gas network to reach the maritime market.

“Once the liquefaction plant is completed, we will have a solid solution in place at the Port of Gothenburg. This is a strategic step towards our goal of scaling up and offering competitive liquefied biomethane to the shipping sector, thereby taking a leading position in this segment,” said Ted Gustavsson, Head of Value Chain at St1 Biokraft.

 

Photo credit: Port of Gothenburg
Published: 16 May, 2025

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Biofuel

Burando Energies completes B30 bunkering operation for Teekay Tankers

Firm delivered a bespoke blend of VLSFO containing 30% ISCC Certified FAME Residue to Teekay Tankers in Port of Amsterdam.

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May 15, 2025

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Burando Energies completes B30 bunkering operation for Teekay Tankers

European marine fuel supplier Burando Energies on Wednesday (14 May) said it has successfully completed a bunkering operation for Teekay Tankers, delivering a bespoke blend of Very Low Sulphur Fuel Oil (VLSFO) containing 30% ISCC Certified FAME Residue in the Port of Amsterdam. 

By blending its VLSFO with FAME Residue, Burando Energies said it is able to provide a scalable solution that meets both commercial and environmental targets.

“We are proud to support Teekay Tankers in taking concrete steps toward sustainable operations,” said Nick de Haan, Head of Decarbonisation Strategies at Burando Energies. 

“This delivery showcases our ability to meet the evolving fuel demands of the global shipping industry with innovative, lower-carbon solutions that are also commercially viable.”

FAME (Fatty Acid Methyl Esters) Residue is a renewable, second-generation bio-component derived from waste oils and residual feedstocks from biodiesel production. Unlike conventional biodiesel, FAME Residue is considered a more economical and circular option, offering a reduced carbon footprint at a lower cost.

Through extensive testing and evaluation, Burando Energies has secured a consistent, FAME Residue stream that blends well with VLSFO and maintains full compatibility with existing marine engines. The result is a drop-in fuel blend that lowers lifecycle emissions while enhancing both operational efficiency and fuel flexibility.

“Teekay Tankers has partnered with Burando for many years and has worked with us on the first FAME Residue biofuel delivery in Amsterdam,” said Mads Bjornebye, Manager Bunker Services at Teekay Tankers. 

“Burando coordinated closely with both our Technical and Commercial teams to ensure a smooth delivery.”

 

Photo credit: Burando Energies
Published: 15 May, 2025

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