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Marine Fuels 360: Biofuels have immediate and critical role in shipping’s decarbonisation journey

VPS hosted a panel discussion session involving representatives from the Global Centre for Green Fuels, KPI OceanConnect, Anglo American.

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The emerging role of biofuels MT2

Maritime industry leaders underscored the immediate and critical role of biofuels in the shipping sector’s decarbonisation journey during a panel discussion at the Marine Fuels 360 conference in Singapore on Tuesday (7 October).

The session was moderated by Captain Rahul Choudhuri, President Strategic Partnerships, VPS who asked the group about the emerging role of biofuels.

Jesper Sørensen, Global Head of Alternative Fuels & Carbon Markets, KPI OceanConnect   

Sørensen highlighted the proven track record of biofuels while noting of its long-term demand.

“In our experience, we’re dealing with top quality fuels. We have seen little to no problems at all,” he stated, referencing over 600 successful supplies across 93 ports.

He noted Singapore, which is projected to handle approximately 2 million metric tonnes (mt) of biofuel bunker deliveries by year-end, is rapidly ascending to become the world’s largest biofuel bunkering port.

This growth, he explained, is supported by a shift from spot-based to term-based biofuel bunker contracts, indicating major players are securing long-term demand.

Captain Raghav Gulati, Head of Safety and Technical Operations, Anglo American 

Representing a major charterer, Captain Gulati articulated the buyer’s perspective for biofuel bunkers from the bunker carrier sector.

He acknowledged the “uncertain regulatory environment” but stressed that biofuels and liquefied natural gas (LNG) offer “a momentum to fuels which are good in the absence of perfect”.

Captain Gulati views biofuels as a vital “transitional fuel” for existing conventional fleets, helping navigate regulatory burdens and avoid penalties.

For Anglo American, the decision to use biofuels balances cost with critical factors such as reliability and quality, given the significant commercial and reputational risks of fuel failure at sea.

Chris Chatterton, Maritime Advisor, Global Centre for Green Fuels (GCGF)

While current Fatty Acid Methyl Ester (FAME) based biofuels are crucial, the panel also looked ahead.

Chatterton championed bioethanol as a promising future green marine fuel. He noted its inclusion in the IGF code (International Code of Safety for Ships using Gases or other Low-flashpoint Fuels) alongside methanol and its compatibility with new methanol dual-fuel engines, calling it “probably the most scalable, sustainable, and if I could say socially inclusive of the biofuels”.

He highlighted ethanol’s large-scale global production and competitive energy density, suggesting it could even lead to tri-fuel engines.

“There are not enough of the currently available biofuels to achieve net-zero emissions, which is why it is necessary to bring more fuel types, such as bioethanol, into the market.”

The emerging role of biofuels MT

Captain Rahul Choudhuri, President Strategic Partnerships, VPS

Summarising his observations of the panel, Captain Choudhuri noted the growth of global biofuel bunkering operations has been rapid over last five years, with Singapore taking the lead as the largest biofuels marine refuelling port in 2025.

“Whereas more than 100 ports now offer biofuels, Singapore’s advantage can be linked to the new Biofuels Standard TR140 as it offers optimal quality control and sound operational guidance,” he believed.

“What was clear in our panel of experts was that biofuels are here to stay as it not only offers an easy path to meet the IMO Net-zero Framework for the next 20 years but is also the right thing to do from a sustainability point of view.

“So, the better prepared the industry is in its use quickly the better it will be for industry players.”

Meanwhile, Captain Choudhuri stated the role of ethanol as a biofuels source for shipping deserves merit given its long-term use and success in the automotive industry. This will also mean better understanding of why first-generation biofuels makes sense, especially for developing economies.

“However, a sticking point remains as although the latest fuel quality standard ISO 8217:2024 covers biofuels – no one is using this standard,” he highlighted.

“This means the industry will need to put their own quality controls in place for biofuels usage. Just because existing biofuels have not incurred shipboard use problems in general, this does not mean it will not happen as more volumes and more blends increase.

“Effective fuel management with new green fuels like biofuels remains important.”

Related: VPS: Singapore releases new bio bunker fuels standard to complement ISO 8217:2024

 

Photo credit: Informa
Published: 14 October 2025

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Alternative Fuels

ENGINE on Fuel Switch Snapshot: LSMGO surges to greater premium over biofuel

B100 discount to LSMGO widens to $541/mt in Rotterdam; Singapore’s B100 drops to $106/mt below LSMGO; Rotterdam LBM at $639-833/mt discounts to LSMGO.

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ENGINE on Fuel Switch Snapshot: LSMGO surges to greater premium over biofuel

Once a week, bunker intelligence platform ENGINE will publish a snapshot of alternative and conventional bunker fuel prices in the world’s two biggest bunkering hubs. The following is the latest snapshot:

20 July 2026

  • B100 discount to LSMGO widens to $541/mt in Rotterdam
  • Singapore’s B100 drops to $106/mt below LSMGO
  • Rotterdam LBM at $639-833/mt discounts to LSMGO

B100’s premium over HSFO in Rotterdam has narrowed by $50/mt over the past week to $64/mt, while its discount to VLSFO has widened by $83/mt to $105/mt.

B100 has become far more competitive against LSMGO in Rotterdam, with its discount widening by $180/mt over the past week to $541/mt, as a surge in conventional fuel prices left B100 broadly unchanged by comparison.

B100’s price has risen by $109/mt in Singapore, but its discount to LSMGO has still widened by $102/mt to $106/mt, as LSMGO surged by an even greater $211/mt.

Rotterdam’s LNG premium over VLSFO has widened by $35/mt to $201/mt for vessels with Otto medium speed (Otto MS) engines. For vessels with diesel slow speed (diesel SS) engines, LNG has flipped to a $15/mt premium over VLSFO, from a $22/mt discount the prior week.

Liquefied biomethane (LBM) discounts to VLSFO in Rotterdam have narrowed by $50-52/mt to $203-396/mt over the past week. Against LSMGO, LBM discounts have widened by $45-47/mt to $639-833/mt, depending on engine type.

In Singapore, LNG is now $42/mt cheaper than LSMGO for vessels with Otto MS engines, and $134/mt cheaper for vessels with diesel SS engines.

ENGINE on Fuel Switch Snapshot: LSMGO surges to greater premium over biofuel

Liquid fuels

HSFO and VLSFO prices in Rotterdam have jumped by $66/mt and $99/mt respectively over the past week, while LSMGO has surged by an even steeper $196/mt. A $9.69/bbl ($71/mt) rise in front-month ICE Brent futures, to $87.94/bbl ($645/mt), drove bunker prices sharply higher across the board.

Bunker fuel availability is tight for prompt delivery dates in the ARA ports, with buyers advised to enquire about stems between 5-7 days ahead to get good coverage, a trader said.

Rotterdam’s B100 price has risen by $16/mt over the past week. Dutch ZRE A ticket prices were unchanged at €107.50/mtCO2e.

Singapore’s HSFO and VLSFO prices have risen by $130/mt and $132/mt respectively, while its LSMGO price has gained an even steeper $211/mt over the past week.

VLSFO availability in Singapore has been tight, with several suppliers reporting low stock levels. Recommended lead times have widened from 13–17 days last week to 14–19 days now.

Liquid gases

Rotterdam’s LNG prices have surged by $134-136/mt over the past week, while its LBM prices have climbed by $149-151/mt.

LBM discounts to LNG in Rotterdam have narrowed by $15/mt to $404-411/mt.

Singapore’s LNG bunker benchmarks have surged by $196-197/mt over the past week.

By Erik Hoffmann

 

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 21 July, 2026

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Alternative Fuels

Repsol and Maersk wrap up first bioethanol bunkering operation in Port of Barcelona

Repsol supplied 2,800 mt of bioethanol to a Maersk container vessel, “Antonia Maersk”, in the first bunkering operation of its kind in the Port of Barcelona and one of the first in the Mediterranean.

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Repsol and Maersk wrap up first bioethanol bunkering operation in Port of Barcelona

Spanish energy company Repsol and shipping giant A.P. Moller – Maersk (Maersk) completed the first bioethanol bunkering operation in the Port of Barcelona, according to the port authority on Wednesday (15 July). 

Repsol successfully supplied 2,800 metric tonnes (mt) of bioethanol to a Maersk container vessel, Antonia Maersk, in the first bunkering operation of its kind in the Port of Barcelona and one of the first in the Mediterranean. 

The operation demonstrates growing demand for alcohol-based marine fuels, as well as the readiness of the infrastructure, logistics, and operational capabilities required to support their deployment at commercial scale. 

Juan Abascal, Repsol’s Executive Managing Director of Industrial Transformation and Circular Economy, said: “With this supply, we reaffirm our commitment to the decarbonization of maritime transport through solutions that are available today and ready to scale in the future. 

“At Repsol, we provide shipping companies with a reliable supply chain and a multi-energy strategy that combines different renewable fuels to support the sector in a safe, competitive, and sustainable transition.”

The supply took place in the Port of Barcelona under fully commercial conditions, bringing together key players across the maritime value chain and demonstrating how collaboration can accelerate the adoption of lower-emission solutions in shipping. 

The delivery was carried out by Bahía Candela, Repsol’s newest bunker vessel, operated by Mureloil and designed to supply both conventional marine fuels and next-generation energy products. 

During the bunkering operation, Bahía Candela operated using its battery system, enabling the fuel transfer to be completed with zero local emissions, and further reducing the environmental footprint of the operation. 

Prior to the bunkering, Maersk tested ethanol on one of its smaller vessels, the 1,800 TEU feeder vessel Laura Maersk, which in 2023 became the world’s first dual-fuel container vessel able to operate on methanol. Today, Maersk has 23 dual-fuel container vessels designed to operate on methanol; however, the company continues to explore ethanol as an alternative fuel for its methanol-enabled vessels. Laura Maersk has performed sailings on 100% ethanol as well as blends of ethanol and methanol. 

Emma Mazhari, Vice President Energy Markets at Maersk, said: “Following the successful ethanol trials conducted on Laura Maersk, this latest bunkering of Antonia Maersk marks another important step in our efforts to explore scalable low-emission fuel solutions. 

“As the first ethanol trial on one of our large dual-fuel vessels, with a capacity of 16,000 TEU, it allows us to deepen our understanding of ethanol’s operational potential at scale. 

“Building on the experience we have gained with methanol, we are working closely with port authorities and industry partners to develop the infrastructure and procedures needed to support ethanol bunkering. Ethanol is one of several pathways we are pursuing to diversify our future fuel portfolio and help accelerate the development of new, viable liquid marine fuel markets.”

 

Photo credit: Port of Barcelona
Published: 20 July, 2026

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Biofuel

DP World, Svitzer switch harbour tug to HVO100 biofuel at London Gateway

“Svitzer Thames” switching from marine diesel to HVO can reduce CO₂ emissions by up to 700 mt annually, while also improving local air quality.

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DP World, Svitzer switch harbour tug to 100% HVO at London Gateway

Global logistics group DP World recently said the company bunkered the first harbour tug to use 100% Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) fuel at London Gateway, in collaboration with Svitzer.

Svitzer Thames handles some of the world’s largest container ships at the port, and switching from marine diesel to HVO can reduce CO₂ emissions by up to 700 metric tonnes (mt) annually, while also improving local air quality.

“DP World and Svitzer are working together to use biofuel on tugs to reduce emissions in the UK, enabling cargo owners to actively reduce supply chain emissions at the source,” DP World said in a social media post.  

“By transitioning to this lower lifecycle emissions solution, we are helping our customers to tackle scope 3 emissions and meet their sustainability goals along the supply chain.”

DP World partnered with marine services company Svitzer, under a partnership that will see its tug boats serving DP World’s ports transition to these fuels.

Manifold Times previously reported DP World supporting the bunkering of tugboat Svitzer Bargate using 100% Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) in place of conventional diesel.

The operation was conducted at the Port of Southampton in the UK. 

The company added that the emissions savings from this activity form part of the last nautical mile carbon inset credits under its Carbon Inset Programme, enabling cargo owners to actively reduce supply chain emissions at the source. 

Related: DP World supports HVO100 bunkering operation of Svitzer tugboat

 

Photo credit: DP World
Published: 20 July, 2026

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