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IBIA welcomes mandatory bunker license scheme at Port of Rotterdam

From 1 February, the license for bunker fuel transporters covers the bunkering or debunkering of residual fuels and distillates (fuel oil and diesel) and biodiesel.

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The International Bunker Industry Association (IBIA) on Friday (5 February) said it welcomes the mandatory license for bunker vessels in Rotterdam as a great step forward.

As of 1 February 2021, bunkering vessels operating in Europe’s biggest bunkering port, and one of the top three in the world, are required to have a license.

The bunker license for bunker fuel transporters covers the bunkering or debunkering of residual fuels and distillates (fuel oil and diesel) and biodiesel.

The Port of Rotterdam license requirement is the outcome of a detailed consultation process with a full range of stakeholders, both local and international. IBIA was among those consulted, and has been supportive of the development of a license system.

It has taken a huge and dedicated effort led by Ron van Gelder, working as a senior advisor for the Harbour Master Division, to get to this point.

The Port of Rotterdam has taken this step in a bid to improve transparency and trust in the bunker market, acknowledging that there have been serious concerns about discrepancies in bunker quantity and quality delivered at the port.

“The bunkering license promotes the transparency and traceability of the bunkering process and helps to better safeguard the quantity of bunkers that are delivered in Rotterdam,” said the port.

“The bunker license transporter is therefore of added value for the environment, society and the reputation of the port of Rotterdam as a bunkering port.”

The Port of Rotterdam added it has taken inspiration from the success of bunker licensing schemes in Singapore and Gibraltar in reducing disputes, and while its initial license is less comprehensive, it will be up for review and may be adapted.

Prior to the license requirement becoming mandatory on 1 February 2021, a total of 24 permits were issued to companies which together represent a fleet of 143 bunker vessels. The bunkering license for the carrier is valid until 1 February 2023.

Prior to the end of the first two years, there will be a review to evaluate the extent to which the license and the regulations need to be amended in response to the experience gained, for example by making a Mass Flow Meter (MFMs) mandatory.

IBIA said it had hoped the Port of Rotterdam and other ports in the Amsterdam-Rotterdam-Antwerp (ARA) region would commit to make MFMs mandatory at the start of 2022. There was an ambition to do that during the consultation and planning period during 2019 and early in 2020. For now, it has proven too complex to set up a licensing scheme that covers the entire ARA region.

The Port of Rotterdam has explained that making MFM mandatory “could have a considerable impact on the operational management of the bunker transporters and must therefore be properly substantiated. A decision will be taken on this in 2022 after the evaluation.”

To monitor and trace where the discrepancies are in the bunker chain, the Port of Rotterdam, has set up a reporting centre for complaints, available to all parties in the bunker chain.

The board of IBIA stated it has made it a priority to push for implementation of bunkering licensing schemes, including mandatory MFMs, in the world’s top bunkering hubs.

Given the very positive impact that mandatory MFMs have had on the bunker market in Singapore, there is a strong argument for introducing this requirement in other major bunkering ports to enhance transparency and reliability regarding delivered volumes, as well as boosting efficiency of bunkering operations, and reducing disputes.

Photo credit: Port of Rotterdam
Published: 10 February, 2021

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Hong Kong-based bunker trading firm E-Marine expands ops with new Shanghai branch office

The HONG KONG E-MARINE SHANGHAI BRANCH will assist E-Marine’s head office in handling bunker trading operations and increase overall bonded bunker trading volumes at China.

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Hong Kong-based marine fuel and lubricant trading company Hongkong E-Marine Supply Service Corporation Limited (E-Marine) on April 15 launched a branch office in Shanghai, learned Manifold Times.

The company HONG KONG E-MARINE SHANGHAI BRANCH will assist the head office in handling bunker trading operations and increase overall bonded bunker trading volumes at China, Managing Director Darcy Wang told the bunkering publication.

“The Shanghai office serves as our China business support and coordination centre. It enables us to stay close to our customers, suppliers and business partners, while also providing access to a deep pool of industry talent,” he shared.

This development is in line the target to significantly increase our annual bonded bunkering portfolio in China to 1 million metric tonnes (mt) by 2030.

“As we continue to expand our presence in China, we welcome capable and motivated individuals who share our long-term vision to join our Shanghai office.”

E-Marine’s new Shanghai office address is as follows:

Shanghai Xuhui District
Chang Ning Road No.889
Shanghai Yang Guang Bin Jiang Center
Unit 22-13

Candidates interested in growing together with E-Marine are invited to send their CV or profile to [email protected].

E Marine Shanghai office tea cups

Related: E-Marine raising China bonded bunker trading portfolio to 1 million mt by 2030, seeks talents
RelatedHong Kong-based bunker trading firm E-Marine obtains ISCC EU certification
RelatedHong Kong-based bunker trading firm E-Marine introduces Global Sales & Procurement Manager
RelatedHong Kong-based bunker trading firm E-Marine expands operations with Singapore branch
RelatedBunker and lube trading firm Hongkong E-Marine Supply Service to open Singapore branch by June

 

Photo credit: Manifold Times
Published: 4 June 2026

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Biofuel

BHP and GCMD trial multi-feedstock B100 bio bunker fuel on bulk carrier

Bio-blend in the BHP and GCMD pilot is being used on a BHP-chartered bulk carrier “Berge Lyngor”, which was bunkered in Singapore in early May.

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BHP and GCMD trial multi-feedstock B100 bio bunker fuel on bulk carrier

BHP and the Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation (GCMD) on Wednesday (3 June) said they have blended biofuels from two distinct feedstocks—used cooking oil and waste animal fats —and introduced the lower-emissions marine fuel into a BHP-chartered bulk carrier as part of a pilot project.

The bio-blend in the BHP and GCMD pilot is being used on a BHP-chartered bulk carrier Berge Lyngor, owned and operated by Berge Bulk, transporting BHP iron ore from Western Australia to China. When run on bio-blend, the vessel has the potential to reduce well-to-wake greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 79 per cent per voyage compared to sailing on very low sulphur fuel oil (VLSFO).

The vessel bunkered in Singapore in early May with a B100 bio-blend comprising 50 percent tallow-derived biodiesel, sourced and supplied by HAMR Energy, and 50 per cent used cooking oil (UCOME) supplied by Mitsui & Co Energy Trading Singapore (METS).

Mitsui also blended the fuel and Dan-Bunkering coordinated and executed the bunkering operation, which was performed by Global Energy’s barge MT Maple.

The BHP and GCMD pilot will assess how biofuels from multiple feedstocks can be blended, handled, and introduced under real-world operating conditions using existing used cooking oil bunkering infrastructure.

At the same time, insights from this pilot will help identify solutions to challenges related to fuel quality, handling, traceability, and onboard vessel performance.

Biofuels for global shipping today rely heavily on used cooking oil – a feedstock whose availability is approaching its projected limits. Biofuel from waste animal fats presents a promising option to expand the supply of lower-emissions marine fuels.

The outcomes of the pilot are expected to shed light on the practical steps to integrate biofuel blends from different feedstocks into existing supply chains. The diversity of biofuels will provide shipowners and operators with greater flexibility to optimise fuel procurement based on cost, availability, and lifecycle emissions performance.

Biofuels derived from different feedstocks can exhibit varying properties that may impact operations, including potential corrosion from oxidation, fuel system clogging caused by wax formation, which this pilot aims to assess.

The pilot will trace and verify the biofuel blend’s integrity aimed at bolstering confidence in emissions reductions reporting. The pilot will also provide insights into how robust tracing can support future marine fuel supply chains where biofuels from multiple feedstocks with varying lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions footprints are blended together.

This project is co-funded by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore under the Maritime Innovation and Technology Fund (MINT).

 

Photo credit: Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation
Published: 3 June, 2026

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Biofuel

NYK starts one-year B100 bio bunker fuel trial on car carrier

In this trial, NYK will operate a car carrier continuously on B100 for one year to evaluate the impact on engines, fuel supply systems, and operational practices.

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NYK starts one-year B100 bio bunker fuel trial on car carrier

Japanese shipping firm NYK on Tuesday (2 June) said it has commenced a one-year long-term trial involving the continuous use of 100% biofuel (B100) on an NYK-operated car carrier. 

In this trial, NYK will operate a car carrier continuously on B100 for one year to evaluate the impact on engines, fuel supply systems, and operational practices. High-purity biofuels such as B100 are known to be susceptible to degradation from oxygen, light, and heat, raising concerns about the stability of such fuels during long-term use.

In this trial, the biofuel primarily comprises FAME (Fatty Acid Methyl Ester) derived from used cooking oil and similar feedstocks.

The initiative is designed to evaluate the fuel’s effects on the vessel’s equipment and verify operational safety under real-world conditions. 

Through this effort, NYK seeks to accumulate technical expertise that will support the broader use of high-purity biofuels and further accelerate efforts to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

NYK has been advancing the use of biofuels through various initiatives. In 2024, the company conducted a trial using biofuel blend B24 and subsequently expanded practical usage to B30. However, the company said there remains limited global experience with the long-term continuous use of B100.

“By collecting long-term operational data through this trial, NYK aims to accumulate valuable technical insights to support both the safe operation of vessels and the wider adoption of high-purity biofuels,” it said. 

 

Photo credit: NYK
Published: 3 June, 2026

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