German marine engine producer MAN Energy Solutions on Tuesday (22 September) said Jan De Nul Group’s trailing suction hopper dredger Alexander von Humboldt had completed 2,000 hours operation on 100% renewable, second-generation Biofuel Oil (BFO).
The vessel is powered by 2 × MAN 12V32/40 and 1 × MAN 7L32/40 main engines, it noted.
The company stated that this milestone represents the longest continuous use of 100% sustainable marine biofuel in the maritime industry and states that the achievement further reinforces the successful adoption of this fuel solution, proving to the maritime world that BFO is ready for use as a sustainable drop-in fuel to meet industry emissions reduction targets.
“With our choice of this sustainable marine biofuel, we want to prove to the governments and our clients that if they have climate ambitions and incorporate these in the selection procedures, the industry is ready for it,” said Michel Deruyck, Head of Energy Department at Jan De Nul Group.
“It is very important now that the right policies and regulations follow to leverage the full potential of BFO. Research into fuels of the future is useful, but it should not prevent us from using sustainable solutions already available today for the much-needed energy transition within the shipping industry.”
“While our engine technology will remain the prime mover for deep-sea shipping, we have to prepare for the emergence of new fuels, such as BFO, as a supplier to the industry,” added Patrice Mauger, Head of Region Europe at MAN Energy Solutions.
“As such, staying abreast of such developments is paramount to our success. The passing of this notable milestone is testament to the flexibility of our engines and of great credit to Jan De Nul Group whose commitment to decarbonisation is exemplary.”
The Alexander von Humboldt is the first vessel in the world to record this biofuel milestone, said the company. The important technical benchmark of 2,000 sailing hours proves the technical applicability and capabilities of sustainable marine biofuel in operations.
At the same time, it opens the door to cross-sectoral collaboration with original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), class societies, flagstates, and supply chains to accelerate the supply of these fuels into mainstream use.
Leading up to the 2,000-hour milestone, the Alexander von Humboldt was refuelled at various stages with BFO, which massively reduced the vessel’s CO2 emissions by 85%. The vessel consumed the biofuel while conducting maintenance dredging works in Flemish seaports and the United Kingdom.
The company shared that the BFO was introduced by GoodFuels in 2018. It was the first marine second-generation, fossil-fuel-equivalent biofuel that is completely derived from sustainable waste feedstock in line with the latest European renewable-energy directive.
GoodFuels introduced the BFO as a credible carbon-based solution to accelerate the energy transition.
Related: CMA CGM Group and Shell enter biofuel partnership for shipping fleet
Photo credit: MAN Energy Solutions
Published: 23 September, 2020
Both firms will collaborate development and promotion of ammonia as a clean fuel in shipping, and explore opportunities on ammonia fuel infrastructure.
The market is currently undergoing a transitional phase where a wide range of alternatives are being evaluated, says Sonnich Thomsen, Managing Director for Bunkers at Sing Fuels.
Retrofitting process took approximately 60 days and is estimated to have emitted approximately 97% less Co2 compared to ordering a newbuilding, it said.
Pyrolysis oil is made from biomass-based residues such as sawdust and roadside grass cuttings, says company.
Project will see proven marine engine installed in Singapore harbour craft for testing and evaluation.
China Shipbuilding Power Group conducted in-depth discussions with RINA classification society on gas properties of ammonia fuel, system principles and more.
Program introduces periodic assessments, mass flow metering data analysis, and regular training for relevant key personnel to better handle the MFMS to ensure a high level of continuous operational competency.
U.S. Claims Register Summary recorded a total USD 833 million claim from a total 180 creditors against O.W. Bunker USA, according to the creditor list seen by Singapore bunkering publication Manifold Times.
Glencore purchased fuel through Straits Pinnacle which contracted supply from Unicious Energy. Contaminated HSFO was loaded at Khor Fakkan port and shipped to a FSU in Tanjong Pelepas, Malaysia to be further blended.
Individuals were employees of surveying companies engaged by Shell to inspect the volume of oil loaded onto the vessels which Shell supplied oil to; they allegedly accepted bribes totalling at least USD 213,000.
MPA preliminary investigations revealed that the affected marine fuel was supplied by Glencore Singapore Pte Ltd who later sold part of the same cargo to PetroChina International (Singapore) Pte Ltd.
‘MPA had immediately contacted the relevant bunker suppliers to take necessary steps to ensure that the relevant batch of fuel was no longer supplied. Further investigations are currently on-going,’ it informs.
