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Biofuel

LR: “Whitchampion” becomes first bunker tanker certified to load, carry and blend FAME B100 onboard

Second Whitaker tanker, Whitchallenger, will be undergoing a similar approval process and is expected to be certified later this year.
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Classification society Lloyd’s Register (LR) on Thursday (12 June) claim UK-based bunker operator John H. Whitaker (Tankers) Limited’s bunker tanker Whitchampion has become the first in the industry to load, carry and blend Fatty Acid Methyl Esters (FAME B100) onboard under IBC Code and MARPOL Annex II regulations.

The development occurred after LR issued a chemical certification to allow Whitchampion to perform onboard blending of biofuels with petroleum distillates and residual fuel oils. The operation is authorised within UK coastal waters under a Tri-Partite Agreement between the Isle of Man Flag and the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency (UKMCA).

A second Whitaker tanker, Whitchallenger, will be undergoing a similar approval process and is expected to be certified later this year.

At present, bunker tankers certified under MARPOL Annex I are limited to carrying blends no more than 30% FAME under IMO regulations. Oil Fuels with higher bio-content fall under International Bulk Chemical Code (IBC Code) and MARPOL Annex II, typically requiring full chemical tanker status. That regulation has, in effect, frozen out a significant portion of the conventional bunker tanker fleet from supporting mid-to-high-range biofuel blending.

Whitaker’s Whitchampion is the first LR-classed vessel to bridge that gap. Through comprehensive Gap Analysis and Risk Assessment against the IBC Code and MARPOL Annex II requirements, LR developed an approach which involved mitigation of the assessed risks. This led to obtaining waivers/exemptions from the Flag Administration allowing this Annex I bunker tanker to gain chemical certification to carry FAME as cargo, without needing to convert to full chemical tanker status.

The successful delivery of dedicated onboard training on the safe handling of FAME has also led to UKMCA approval and a FAME Restricted endorsement to the existing Oil Tanker Dangerous Cargo Endorsement (DCE) for the crew.

Tim Wilson, Principal Specialist Fuels and Emissions, LR, said: “This certification demonstrates a credible and commercially viable route for existing bunker tankers to participate in the energy transition. It sets a clear blueprint for others to follow, enabling owners to consider the possibility of adapting existing bunker tankers for sustainable fuel delivery without resorting to prohibitively expensive conversions or replacement with a chemical tanker.”

Peter Howard, Technical Director at Whitaker Tankers, added: “This certification is the result of focused determination from all involved and underlines Whitaker’s commitment to providing clients with the flexibility they need to meet their decarbonisation goals. We’re proud to lead the way in this space with Whitchampion and look forward to progressing a similar certification with LR for her sister ship Whitchallenger later this year.”

 

Photo credit: Lloyd’s Register
Published: 13 June 2025

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Newbuilding

Singapore: Pinnacle Marine’s first B100 fuelled utility boat starts 1,000-hour research trial

Newbuilding operated by Prestige Ocean Pte Ltd will capture data on bunker fuel emissions, marine fuel behaviour, and performance.
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The 50th vessel constructed by local boat builder Pinnacle Marine (Singapore) Pte Ltd, namely President 100, is starting 1,000 hours of real-time research trials in collaboration with several parties from Wednesday (9 July) onwards, it says.

Powered by B100 biodiesel, the newbuilding operated by Prestige Ocean Pte Ltd will capture data on bunker fuel emissions, marine fuel behaviour, and performance.

It will be participating in trials with Maritime Energy & Sustainable Development Centre of Excellence (MESD), Weichai Singapore, China Classification Society, Pacific International Lines (PTE) Ltd, Abo Shoten, Ltd. / 株式会社安保商店 , Abo Singapore, Wilmar International, Gulf Marine, Amspec Testing & Services, and AYK Engineering and Consulting.

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The President 100, Pinnacle Marine’s first full biodiesel utility boat, was launched on Tuesday in the presence of over 100 guests.

“Our latest vessel, President 100, merges legacy and future. Named after our first aluminium boat (“President”) and inspired by B100 biodiesel, it leads the charge for our next 50 vessels — many of which will embrace green technology,” stated Pinnacle Marine in a LinkedIn post.

“The launch was amazing, with strong turnout from across the maritime sector — authorities, shipowners, operators, agencies, chandlers, researchers, offshore engineers, and petrochemical suppliers.”

It added: “We’re excited to see how it paves the way for wider adoption of B100 biodiesel — a cleaner, sustainable path for Singapore’s harbour craft sector.”

 

Photo credit: Pinnacle Marine (Singapore) Pte Ltd
Published: 9 July 2025

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Biofuel

Chimbusco Pan Nation bio bunker fuel supply volume in H1 2025 surpasses 2024 total

Company supplied over 78,000 metric tonnes of marine biofuel in Hong Kong in the first six months of 2025, surpassing its total biofuel supply for the whole of 2024.

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Chimbusco Pan Nation bio bunker fuel supply volume in H1 2025 surpasses 2024 total

Hong Kong-based marine fuel oil supplier Chimbusco Pan Nation Petro-Chemical (CPN) on Friday (4 July) said it has supplied over 78,000 metric tonnes (mt) of marine biofuel in Hong Kong in the first six months of 2025.

As such, the company said its biofuel volume for the first half of the year exceeded its total biofuel supply for the whole of 2024. 

“This record-breaking achievement highlights our commitment to sustainability and innovation in the maritime industry,” the company said in a social media post. 

“From January to June 2025, our team surpassed last year’s total, proving that dedication and excellence knows no limits—and exceeded 2024 by 80%!”

Manifold Times previously reported CPN setting a record for China’s largest B24 marine biofuel bunkering operation.

CPN delivered 6,300 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.

In April, the company also commenced supply of B30 biofuel in Hong Kong. 

Related: Hong Kong: CPN hits new record for China’s largest B24 biofuel bunkering operation
Related: CPN achieves largest B24 bio bunker fuel delivery in Hong Kong and China
Related: Chimbusco Pan Nation launches B30 bio bunker fuel supply in Hong Hong

 

Photo credit: Chimbusco Pan Nation Petro-Chemical
Published: 7 July, 2025

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Bunker Fuel

Titan adopts FuelBoss by Ofiniti for digital bunkering and live delivery insights

Per-Christian Dettwiler, CPO of Titan, says the firm has reached a scale where manual coordination and paper-driven workflows are no longer sustainable and needed a digital platform that can evolve with it.

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July 7, 2025

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Titan adopts FuelBoss by Ofiniti for digital bunkering and live delivery insights

Ofiniti, a provider of digital solutions for maritime bunker operations, on Thursday (3 July) said LNG bunker fuel supplier Titan Clean Fuels (Titan) is adopting its FuelBoss platform to meet higher demand for cleaner marine fuels and offer digitalised bunker operations. 

Ofiniti said Titan, which started as a small-scale LNG bunkering initiative, has rapidly evolved into a larger regional player in LNG and bio-LNG. 

“Confidence is continuing to grow in the sector, with recent reports showing that LNG accounts for 87 of the 151 alternative-fuelled vessels ordered in H1 of 2025,” the company said in a social media post. 

Subsequently, Titan is bolstering its capacity to handle higher demand with the FuelBoss software providing a digital backbone for increasing operational planning, scheduling and execution.

“We have reached a scale where manual coordination and paper-driven workflows are no longer sustainable. To maintain reliability, efficiency, and transparency across our growing operations, we needed a digital platform that can evolve with us. FuelBoss gives us the structure and visibility to execute consistently – no matter the vessel, port, or partner involved,” said Per-Christian Dettwiler, Chief Operating Officer of Titan.

FuelBoss enables real-time delivery coordination between vessels, suppliers, terminals, surveyors, and customers. This means reduced operational friction, more transparent communication, and the ability to meet the rising expectations of a broad customer base from cruise operators to deep-sea cargo fleets. 

“Titan exemplifies what a future-ready marine fuel supplier looks like: fast-growing, ambitious, and uncompromising on service quality. With clients spanning both regulated and high-performance environments, they expect structured, digital workflows by default, with eBDN being a part of this. We’re proud to support Titan on their mission to scale clean fuel delivery with confidence,” said Martin Christian Wold, VP Business Development of Ofiniti.

 

Photo credit: Ofiniti
Published: 7 July, 2025

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