Alternative Fuels

IBIA: Boost for biofuels as IMO removes regulatory hurdle

New Unified Interpretation means that biofuel blends up to 30% (B30) will be regarded in the same way as regular oil-based fuels, said IBIA.

Published

3 years ago

June 23, 2022

Admin

The International Bunker Industry Association (IBIA) on Monday (20 June) published an article to elaborate on the new “Unified Interpretation (UI)” approved by the IMO’s Marine Environment Protection Committee in June 2022 on the application of regulation 18.3 MARPOL Annex VI in relation to biofuels.

Interest in biofuels is growing due to its environmental benefits and potential GHG savings, but there have been doubts about a potential increase in NOx emissions and compliance with MARPOL Annex VI and the NOx Technical Code.

Regulation 18 of MARPOL Annex VI, “Fuel Oil Availability and Qualities”, applies to fuels derived from petroleum refining and also fuels derived by methods other than petroleum refining.

Biofuels and biofuel blends have to comply with MARPOL Annex VI.

Apart from limits on sulphur content, Regulation 18.3.2.2 of MARPOL Annex VI requires that such fuels shall not “… cause an engine to exceed the applicable NOx emission limit…”.

Meeting applicable sulphur limits is normally not a challenge for biofuels; however the nature of the NOx Technical Code has been problematic as engine certification and the associated IAPP-certificate requires that the parent engine test is undertaken on a DM-grade (distillate) marine fuel in accordance with ISO 8217:2005.

To demonstrate that biofuels do not “cause an engine to exceed the applicable NOx emission limit” has been a challenge. It would require either on-board emission testing and monitoring, or engine and fuel-specific NOx emissions validation testing, with the added complexity of not being able to define a reference biofuel. Alternatively, ships have been able to apply for an exemption from Regulation 18 of MARPOL Annex VI in line with MARPOL Annex VI Regulation 3: “Trials for Ship Emission Reduction and Control Technology Research”. Exemptions for the testing of the biofuels can be granted up to 18 months for smaller engines, and up to five years for larger engines with cylinder displacements over 30 litres, subject to the flag Administrations decision.

This regulatory hurdle is now set to be cleared thanks to a new “Unified Interpretation (UI)” approved by the IMO’s Marine Environment Committee in June 2022 on the application of regulation 18.3 MARPOL Annex VI in relation to biofuels.

This UI means that biofuel blends up to 30% (B30) will be regarded in the same way as regular oil-based fuels.

It also allows the use of B30 to B100 biofuels for “engines certified in accordance with regulation 13 of MARPOL Annex VI which can operate on a biofuel or a biofuel blend without changes to its NOx critical components or settings/operating values outside those as given by that engine’s approved Technical File.”

Experience to date is that no engine setting changes have been needed to operate on up to B100 biofuels, according to information from Lloyd’s Register.

A recently published Lloyd’s Register Technical Report on NOx from marine diesel engines using biofuels covered data from multiple biofuel sea trials with FAME or FAME-type fuels from 20% through to 100% bio-component. The report concluded that that NOx emissions were not significantly increased in any instance.

Moreover, NOx emission data from several in-use trials submitted to the IMO have shown that NOx emissions of various biofuel blends, up to and including 100% bio-components, are often less than NOx emissions from oil-based fuels, or comparable.

The UI will be issued as MEPC.1/Circ.795/Rev.6, replacing MEPC.1/Circ.795/Rev.6 but is essentially already in effect. There may be a delay in taking this new UI into account in some countries, so owners planning to use biofuels should contact their flag Administration about their formal position in applying this UI.

The UI will come as a relief to owners who want to use biofuels without having to undertake onboard NOx measurements, which has – from all accounts – been a complex and onerous exercise representing a substantial extra workload compared to normal service.

Photo credit: IBIA
Published: 23 June, 2022

Alternative Fuels

Hong Kong-based Sun Ferry takes delivery of diesel-electric ferry “Xin Ming Zhu 30”

New vessel, designed by Incat Crowther and constructed by Guangzhou-based shipbuilder AFAI Southern Shipyard, will serve inter-island commuter and tourism operations across Hong Kong.

Published

22 hours ago

March 20, 2025

Admin

Hong Kong-based Sun Ferry takes delivery of diesel-electric ferry “Xin Ming Zhu 30”

Global digital shipbuilder Incat Crowther on Wednesday (19 March) said Hong Kong-based ferry operator Sun Ferry has taken delivery of Xin Ming Zhu 30, a new, 35-metre diesel-electric ferry.

The new vessel, designed by Incat Crowther and constructed by Guangzhou-based shipbuilder AFAI Southern Shipyard, is the third vessel to join a fleet of seven new vessels designed by Incat Crowther for the mass transit operator.

The vessel will serve inter-island commuter and tourism operations across Hong Kong, connecting Peng Chau, Mui Wo, Chi Ma Wan and Cheung Chau.

The 300-seat passenger ferry boasts Veth azimuth thrusters that provide high manoeuvrability at operating speeds of 14 knots. The adoption of this technology makes the vessel suitable for berthing at piers on inter island routes.

The vessel is also fitted with 72 solar panels providing 7.5 kilowatts of on-board power.

Sam Mackay, Technical Manager at Incat Crowther, said: "This vessel reflects Sun Ferry’s commitment to future focused design solutions that not only meet operational needs, but that exceed customer expectations.”

“With diesel-electric propulsion, solar technology, and passenger-centric design, it sets a new benchmark for sustainable and efficient ferry services in Hong Kong.”

The delivery of the 35-metre hybrid vessel follows the delivery of two 45-metre conventional diesel-powered vessels to Sun Ferry. The final three vessels, all 45-metre vessels, will be delivered by the end of 2025. All vessels in the fleet have been designed by Incat Crowther and built by AFAI Southern Shipyard.

Photo credit: Incat Crowther
Published: 20 March, 2025

Biofuel

PRIO delivers Eco Bunkers B30 to two cargo ships at ports in Portugal

Company supplied the bio bunker fuel, a product containing 30% renewable raw materials, to “BBC Lisbon” at Port of Aveiro on 3 March and to “ANNA” at Port of Leixões on 18 March.

Published

22 hours ago

March 20, 2025

Admin

PRIO delivers Eco Bunkers B30 to two cargo ships at ports in Portugal

Biofuels producer PRIO on Wednesday (19 March) said it carried out Eco Bunkers B30 fuel deliveries to shipping company Briese Chartering in collaboration with its partner UFS Unites Fuel Services this month.

On 3 March, PRIO supplied the biofuel to cargo vessel BBC Lisbon at the Port of Aveiro and to another cargo vessel, ANNA, at the Port of Leixões on 18 March.

“With these two Eco Bunkers B30 deliveries, a product containing 30% renewable raw materials, PRIO enabled Briese Chartering to reduce around 60 tons of CO2 in just two port calls in Portugal,” it said in a social media post.

“Produced at PRIO’s Aveiro plant, biodiesel has the potential to reduce GHG emissions by approximately 88% compared to fossil fuels.”

“PRIO has been demonstrating its commitment to decarbonising the maritime sector by supplying more sustainable products, ranging from 1% to 100% renewable content.”

Manifold Times previously reported PRIO launching its ECO Bunkers B30 biofuel in partnership with Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings and World Fuel Services.

PRIO previously launched ECO Bunkers B15, a green fuel for ships with 15% biodiesel and the company then launched a 20% biofuel blend, ECO Bunkers E20.

Photo credit: PRIO
Published: 20 March, 2025

LNG Bunkering

Gasum completes SIMOPS LNG bunkering operation of PCTC “Höegh Sunlight”

Gasum’s LNG bunker vessel “Coralius” made its 920th LNG delivery to “Höegh Sunlight”, a brand new PCTC, with a capacity of 9100 CEU, at the Port of Gothenburg, Sweden on 10 March.

Published

22 hours ago

March 20, 2025

Admin

Gasum completes SIMOPS LNG bunkering operation of PCTC “Höegh Sunlight”

Energy company Gasum on Wednesday (19 March) announced its delivery of liquified natural gas (LNG) to a car carrier during a simultaneous bunkering and cargo operation (SIMOPS) at the Port of Gothenburg, Sweden.

The company said it was the first ever LNG delivery to Höegh Sunlight at the Logent Car Terminal on 10 March 2025.

Gasum’s LNG bunker vessel Coralius made its 920th LNG delivery to Höegh Sunlight, a brand new Pure Car and Truck Carrier (PCTC), with a capacity of 9100 CEU, during a ship-to-ship (STS) bunkering operation.

The company did not specify the amount of LNG supplied to the vessel.

The delivery was a collaboration between Gasum, Glander International, Höegh Autoliners, the Port of Gothenburg and Sirius Agency.

Photo credit: Gasum
Published: 20 March, 2025