Biofuel

Japan enters milestone with first chemical free biofuel/HFO bunker fuel blend

Biofuel bunker used on coastal RoRo vessel was made by mixing used cooking oil derived from vegetable oils and fats in Japan without chemical treatment with heavy fuel oil, says MOL.

Published

2 years ago

November 2, 2023

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Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL) on Wednesday (1 November) announced that an MOL Coastal Shipping-operated 499 GT coastal roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) vessel, Tetsuun Maru No.1, was successfully operated using biofuel made by mixing used cooking oil (UCO) directly with heavy fuel oil.

The biofuel used on the vessel is made by mixing used cooking oil derived from vegetable oils and fats in Japan without chemical treatment with heavy fuel oil. This marks Japan’s first initiative to use this kind of biofuel to marine vessels.

Hanwa Co., Ltd. supplied the biofuel to the vessel in the Chukyo region as part of a research programme on marine applications of biofuels by Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, in cooperation with Tokyo Steel Manufacturing Co., Ltd., the cargo shipper.

The vessel operated on the biofuel mixture for about a month, plying a route between Mikawa Bay and Tokyo Bay, and reported no flammability problems or other issues.

Until now, the main raw material for biofuels has been Fatty Acid Methyl Ester (FAME), which is produced by chemical processing of waste cooking oil and methanol. In this project, used cooking oil was mixed with heavy oil A (mixing ratio of Bio was 24%) in almost its original form as straight vegetable oil (SVO) and used in a general-purpose ship type, 499 GT coastal vessel.

Since the SVO undergoes no methyl esterification or hydrogenation process, it is likely to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions even more than other biofuels and can be supplied at a lower cost.

Photo credit: Mitsui O.S.K. Lines
Published: 2 November, 2023

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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.

Published

24 hours ago

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

Bunker Fuel

Singapore: Bunker fuel sales increase by 4% on year in April 2025

4.40 million mt of various marine fuel grades were delivered at the world’s largest bunkering port in April, up from 4.24 million mt recorded during the similar month in 2024.

Published

2 days ago

May 14, 2025

Admin

Singapore: Bunker fuel sales increase by 4% on year in April 2025

Sales of marine fuel at Singapore port increased by 4% on year in April 2025, according to Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) data.

In total, 4.40 million metric tonnes (mt) (exact 4,404,440 mt) of various marine fuel grades were delivered at the world’s largest bunkering port in April, up from 4.24 million mt (4,235,160 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 April (against on year) recorded respectively 1.70 million mt (+6.3% from 1.60 million mt), 2.24 million mt (-0.4% from 2.25 million mt), zero (from zero), zero (-100% from 9,700 mt) and zero (from zero).

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Bio-blended variants of marine fuel oil, low sulphur fuel oil, ultra low sulphur fuel oil, marine gas oil and marine diesel oil in April (against on year) recorded respectively 33,300 mt (+100% from zero), 75,600 mt (+26.8% from 59,600 mt), 700 mt (+100% from zero), zero (from zero) and zero (from zero). A new addition of biofuel blend, introduced in February this year, B100, recorded 300 mt in April.

LNG and methanol sales were posted respectively at 42,000 mt (+18% from 35,600) and zero (from zero). There were no recorded sales of ammonia for the month and so far in 2025.

A complete series of articles on Singapore bunker volumes by Manifold Times in 2024 can be found below:

Photo credit: Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore
Published: 14 May, 2025

Biofuel

Sinobunker sets new record for largest biofuel bunkering operation in China

Company successfully delivered 4,200 mt of B24 bio bunker fuel to “KIRSTEN MAERSK” at Ningbo Beilun Third Container Terminal, also marking its first biofuel refuelling operation in East China.

Published

3 days ago

May 13, 2025

Admin

Sinobunker sets new record for largest biofuel bunkering operation in China

China Shipping & Sinopec Suppliers Co Ltd (SinoBunker) recently said it completed the largest marine biofuel bunkering operation in China on 2 May.

The company successfully delivered 4,200 metric tonnes (mt) of B24 biofuel at Ningbo Beilun Third Container Terminal. Hangzhou Customs identified the receiving ship as KIRSTEN MAERSK.

The operation also marked the company’s first biofuel refuelling in East China.

Sinobunker sets new record for largest biofuel bunkering operation in China

The B24 biofuel used during the operation was a mixture of 24% ISCC-certified biodiesel produced from waste cooking oil and 76% low-sulphur fuel oil, which meets the requirements of IMO 2020 sulphur limit and relevant regulations on shipping carbon emission reduction.

“This batch of biofuel oil is directly supplied across customs areas. Under the guidance of the customs, the entire process from oil extraction to oil supply has been paperless, which is very smooth,” said Sun Kejie, Business Manager of China Shipping & Sinopec (Zhoushan) Suppliers Co Ltd.

A spokesperson from Hangzhou Customs said they will focus on the construction of the bulk commodity resource allocation hub and the development needs of the entire oil and gas industry chain in the China (Zhejiang) Pilot Free Trade Zone (Zhejiang FTZ).

It will also continue to support green marine fuel bunkering such as biofuel oil, LNG, and methanol, and strive to create the best model to help the Zhejiang FTZ build a global bonded bunkering centre.

In February, Sinobunker reported its previous record of largest single bunkering operation of biofuel in China, which was 4,000 metric tonnes of B24 biofuel.

Photo credit: China Shipping & Sinopec Suppliers
Published: 13 May, 2025