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Biofuel

GCMD, VPS provide innovative means to detect fraud in sustainable biofuel supply chain

Newly developed, unique proprietary test method from VPS, which can be applied to all FAME-based biofuels, both 100% (B100) and blends, helps to determine if the FAME is produced from a sustainable source.

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Marine fuels testing company VPS on Tuesday (10 December) shared more on a newly released paper on FAME bio bunker fuel from its latest collaboration with Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation (GCMD): 

The Biofuel Detectives – The Proof is in the Testing

Sustainability is fast becoming a common term within today’s society, certainly when linked to global decarbonisation. The world’s population has become increasingly more aware of the human carbon-footprint and the need to reduce green-house gas emissions.

As an industry, world shipping is not exempt and levels of environmental legislation and directives being placed upon this sector are rapidly multiplying in order to achieve net-zero-carbon dioxide (CO2) pollution. Due to this increasing drive to reduce shipping’s global emissions, the move away from the use of traditional fossil fuels is gathering momentum and heading towards using alternative low-to-zero carbon fuels.

One such fuel type is biofuel and in particular FAME-based biofuel. Whether it be 100% FAME, or blends of FAME with traditional marine fossil fuels, FAME, or Fatty Acid Methyl Esters, to give the full name, provides an immediate option to reduce shipping’s CO2 emissions.

However, how can it be proven that the bio-component of the biofuel, is truly sustainable?

A newly released paper detailing ground-breaking, innovative research and development through a collaboration between the Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation (GCMD) and the world’s leading Maritime Decarbonisation Testing and Advisory Services company, VPS, provides the solution.

The paper, entitled Rapid Forensic Analysis of FAME-based Biofuels is now available on the GCMD’s website.

The paper highlights how VPS’ extensive experience in marine fuel analysis and considerable expertise in the use of the high-end forensic analytical technique, gas chromatography (GC), can be utilised to identify the true source of the bio-component (the oil). This newly developed, unique proprietary test method from VPS, can be applied to all FAME-based biofuels, both 100% (B100) and blends, eg B30. This identification helps to determine whether or not, the FAME is produced from a sustainable source. 

It should be noted that not all FAME-based Biofuels have the same properties and since suppliers do not indicate the source oil, testing is so important to understand these properties. This is becoming increasingly important as the availability of FAME is driving suppliers to source FAME-based biofuels from an increasingly wide variety of exotic source oils.

VPS is now in a position to offer this unique and vital service to its customers, as a further means to support shipowners and operators in their drive to be compliant with both global and regional environmental legislation and ensure traceable sustainability of their operations.

The GCMD-VPS collaboration is proving to be a partnership which is delivering key solutions to the maritime sector, as shipping moves to becoming a truly sustainable industry.

Related: Singapore: GCMD introduces new technique for FAME bio bunker fuel fingerprinting

 

Photo credit: VPS
Published: 11 December, 2024

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Biofuel

NYK Trading-chartered bunker barge operates on bio bunker fuel since March

Company says it has been chartering a biofuel-powered bunker barge “No. 28 Seihosan Maru”, operated by Asahi Tanker, in Tokyo Bay since March.

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June 18, 2025

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NYK Trading-chartered bunker barge operates on bio bunker fuel since March

NYK Trading on Monday (16 June) said it has been chartering a biofuel-powered bunker barge, No. 28 Seihosan Maru, operated by Asahi Tanker in Tokyo Bay since March. 

This marks the first actual operation of a coastal ship operated by Asahi Tanker. 

The biofuel that the vessel has begun using is a mixture of conventional marine fuel oil A and fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) made from waste edible oil. The FAME provided by NYK Trading uses high-purity biodiesel fuel (ReESEL).

NYK Trading said it will continue to contribute to the accelerating trend toward decarbonisation and reduce CO2 emissions by promoting the use of biofuel and building a supply system.

 

Photo credit: NYK Trading
Published: 18 June, 2025

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Digital platform

Ofiniti eBDN solution chosen by FincoEnergies for marine biofuel ops in ARA region

Development takes place on the back of complex logistics and opaque operational processes experienced by the marine (bio)fuel market; which Ofiniti’s FuelBoss eBDN solution seeks to simplify.
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June 17, 2025

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FincoEnergies MT

Rotterdam-based FincoEnergies, an independent, leading supplier of (bio)fuels and decarbonisation services for the transport sector, will be adopting Ofiniti’s FuelBoss eBDN technology, with operational support from VT Group.

The development takes place on the back of complex logistics and opaque operational processes experienced by the marine (bio)fuel market; which Ofiniti’s FuelBoss eBDN solution seeks to simplify.

“Schedules are becoming increasingly tighter as demand for sustainable biofuels grows,” explains Leon Arets, Trading & Operations Director at FincoEnergies.

“We’re adopting a platform that enhances structure and responsiveness. This digital leap allows us to not only scale efficiently but also deliver greater transparency and operational excellence to our clients.”

A spin-off from global assurance and risk management leader DNV, Ofiniti brings together deep industry know-how with cutting-edge technology. Its flagship platform, FuelBoss, is designed to replace cumbersome manual processes with streamlined digital workflows that boost efficiency and data reliability.

“Our work with LNG suppliers laid the groundwork,” notes Oliver Brix Sparsø, Global Director of Sales at Ofiniti. “But this collaboration with FincoEnergies and VT Group marks the first large-scale commitment to digital delivery workflows for biofuels. It’s a turning point for the region.”

FincoEnergies’ mission, Decarbonising the transport industry together, is grounded in collaboration and innovation. The partnership with Ofiniti and VT Group exemplifies this spirit, combining technological leadership with operational expertise.

“As operators, we continuously look for ways to improve life on board and support our partners,” adds Wouter van Reenen, Business Development Manager at VT Group. “FuelBoss is a strong fit for our operations and those of our chartering clients.”

Related: Ofiniti to digitalise Azane ammonia bunkering operations across Scandinavia
Related: Ofiniti to roll out e-BDNs for Golden Island methanol bunkering operations in Singapore
Related: Global Fuel Supply to adopt FuelBoss by Ofiniti for e-BDN in West Africa
Related: Ofiniti appoints Oliver Brix Sparsø as new Global Director of Sales
Related: Ofiniti acquires Singapore-based Angsana Technology to advance digital bunkering solutions
Related: Singapore: FuelBoss by Ofiniti becomes sixth whitelisted e-BDN solution
Related: Digital bunkering platform Ofiniti successfully spun out from DNV
Related: FuelBoss to continue under new DNV company Ofiniti

 

Photo credit: Ofiniti
Published: 17 June 2025

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Bunker Fuel

Singapore: Bunker sales volume raises to year record high of 4.88 million mt in May

Bio-blended variants of marine fuel oil jumped 671.7% to 40,900 mt when compared to figures seen in May 2024.
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June 16, 2025

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SG bunker performance May 2025

Bunker fuel sales at Singapore port inched forward by 1.1% on year in May 2025, the highest volume seen in 2025, according to Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) data.

In total, 4.88 million metric tonnes (mt) (exact 4,878,100 mt) of various marine fuel grades were delivered at the world’s largest bunkering port in April, up from 4.83 million mt (4,826,800 mt) recorded during the similar month in 2024.

Deliveries of marine fuel oil, low sulphur fuel oil, ultra low sulphur fuel oil, marine gas oil and marine diesel oil in May (against on year) recorded respectively 1.89 million mt (+8.6% from 1.74 million mt), 2.45 million mt (-7.2% from 2.64 million mt), 1,200 mt (from zero), 1,700 mt (-88% from 14,300 mt) and zero (from zero).

SG bunker port performance May 2025

Bio-blended variants of marine fuel oil, low sulphur fuel oil, ultra low sulphur fuel oil, marine gas oil and marine diesel oil in May (against on year) recorded respectively 40,900 mt (+671.7% from 5,300 mt), 95,800 mt (+97.9% from 48,400 mt), 700 mt (from zero), zero (from zero) and zero (from 300 mt). B100 biofuel bunkers, introduced in February this year, recorded 1,900 mt of deliveries in May.

LNG and methanol sales were respectively 45,000 mt (-7.8% from 48,800) and zero (from 1,600 mt). There were no recorded sales of ammonia for the month and so far in 2025.

Related: Singapore: Bunker fuel sales increase by 4% on year in April 2025
Related: Singapore: Bunker fuel sales increase by 0.5% on year in March 2025
Related: Singapore: Bunker fuel sales down by 8.1% on year in February 2025
Related: Singapore: Bunker fuel sales down by 9.1% on year in January 2025

A complete series of articles on Singapore bunker volumes reported by Manifold Times tracked since 2018 can be found via the link here.

 

Photo credit: Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore
Published: 16 June 2025

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