Biofuel
Oldendorff Carriers shares results of study on B20 advanced bio bunker fuel blend
Firm provides findings of study that it asked MIT to conduct in 2019 on long-term stability and degradation of a B20 biofuel to address concerns when stored in vessels’ bunker tankers.
Dry bulk ship owner and operator Oldendorff Carriers provides findings of a study that it asked Massachusetts Institute of Technology to conduct in 2019 on long-term stability and degradation of a B20 advanced biofuel blend to address concerns when stored in vessels’ bunker tankers:
In 2019, Oldendorff Carriers signed a research agreement with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s (MIT) Center for Bits and Atoms (CBA). The purpose of the research agreement was to investigate disruptive improvements in ship design, propulsion, and alternative energy sources to help achieve the enhanced decarbonization targets to 2050. As part of their agreement, Oldendorff Carriers asked MIT to conduct a study on the long-term stability and degradation of a B20 advanced biofuel blend. Oldendorff would like to share the results of the study with the shipping community to help progress the path toward decarbonization.
One of the alternative energy sources that Oldendorff Carriers has been testing on our ships is the use of second-generation advanced biofuels. Biofuels offer a drop-in fuel option, reducing GHG emissions from a life-cycle perspective (as shown by a previous Oldendorff-MIT study) https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlehtml/2022/se/d1se01495a. However, they are more prone to oxidative degradation due to the presence of unsaturated fatty acids, which are inherent in the vegetable oils and animal fats from which they are derived. Therefore, there are concerns about the stability and degradation of biofuel blends with conventional marine fuels over time when stored in vessels’ bunker tanks.
For those interested in the findings of the study, the following information explains the study procedures and conclusions.
Dr. Patricia Stathatou, the lead of the biofuel degradation study, was a Research Scientist at the MIT Center for Bits and Atoms when the project started in April 2022. She has recently moved to the Georgia Institute of Technology, where she is a Research Faculty at the Renewable Bioproducts Institute. Patricia is also still affiliated with the MIT, Center for Bits and Atoms.
In January 2022, our vessel, Edwine Oldendorff, bunkered with an advanced B20 biofuel, consisting of a 20% bio-oil derived from used cooking oil, blended with very low sulphur fuel. Furthermore, there is a limited body of research on the degradation of biofuel blends, with existing studies primarily focusing on first-generation biofuels (derived from food-crops) and/or distillate biofuel blends rather than advanced residual biofuel blends, as in our case.
A biofuel blend is more complex than a homogenous product. Our study was comprehensive, monitoring eight chemical parameters over an extended one-year period, under a variety of storage conditions. Unlike similar studies in the literature that only focus on just a couple of these parameters, we investigated the impacts of various storage conditions on various parameters. The results of our study will be valuable for both biofuel producers and users, assisting them in planning their bunker storage and maintenance systems accordingly over time.
We analysed 15 samples of the B20 biofuel blend (Intertek, UK). The 15 samples (volume per sample: 1 L), were divided into three storage groups. Each group was stored at different temperatures, i.e., 3 oC inside a refrigerator, 23 oC at ambient lab conditions, and 50 oC inside an incubator. Within each group, there were 5 samples stored in identical containers: sealed steel container, open steel container, open steel container with 5% water added, sealed steel container with 5% water added, and transparent sealed glass bottles. These storage conditions were selected to closely replicate typical onboard fuel storage conditions. We investigated the impact of storage temperature, air, light, and water on the fuel quality over time.
The 8 chemical parameters that we tested were acid value, microbial contamination, total sediment potential, water and sediment, peroxide value, density, viscosity, and oxidation onset temperature. The biofuel blend did not contain any biocide or antioxidant, allowing us to assess its natural degradation over time. Acid value and microbial contamination were tested monthly, while the remaining parameters were tested quarterly from May 2022 to April 2023.
After a thorough analysis, fuel degradation was observed:
- Low levels (<10 CFU/ mL)1 of microbial contamination (MBC) were observed after the first month of storage in almost all samples, irrespective of storage conditions. MBC increased over time, reaching almost 50 CFU/mL in samples exposed to light. FAME content in biofuels encourages microbial growth as microorganisms biodegrade natural fats and oils. MBC can lead to operational problems, including fouling of tanks, pipes and filters, tank corrosion, and fuel injection equipment damage. Conclusion: biocide addition is highly recommended to preserve blended biofuel for an extended period.
- Oxidative degradation, began from M3-M6 onward, as indicated by a significant increase in peroxide values, a slight increase in acid value, and a slight decrease in oxidation onset temperature. Addition of antioxidants is recommended together with regular monitoring of fuel quality for long-term onboard storage, especially with higher biofuel blends.
- No sediment was generated after thermal ageing and there was no observed sediment formation or water increase over time.
- Although exposure to air, water & light contributed significantly to fuel degradation, the impact of storage temperature on degradation remains unclear.
Patricia presented these findings on November 6, 2023 at the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChe) Annual Meeting in Orlando, FL, during the session titled “Advances in Biofuels Production and Alternative Fuels I”, which focused on advanced biofuels and alternative fuels for decarbonizing aviation and maritime industries. Her presentation was titled “Assessing the long-term stability & degradation of an advanced marine biofuel blend”.
Photo credit: Oldendorff Carriers
Published: 8 November, 2023
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
OUR INDUSTRY PARTNERS
Singapore withdraws remaining 127 charges against Hin Leong founder OK Lim
Singapore: Coastal Logistics Pte Ltd to be wound up voluntarily
PIL’s LNG dual-fuel boxship “Kota Elok” arrives in Singapore on maiden call
CIMC SOE secures order for 12,000-cbm LNG bunkering vessel from Sinopec Clean Energy
ABS awards AiP to Korean institute for SMR-powered container ship concept design
EXMAR’s “ANTWERPEN” completes first commercial voyage using ammonia bunker fuel
ENGINE on Fuel Switch Snapshot: LSMGO surges to greater premium over biofuel
US reinstates Iran oil sanctions, orders wind-down by 17 July
ENGINE: East of Suez Fuel Availability Outlook (7 July 2026)
ENGINE: Europe and Africa Fuel Availability Outlook (8 July 2026)
Malaysia: Maharani Freeport to implement MFM and e-BDN technologies for enhanced bunkering transparency
Evergreen Marine director questioned, offices searched in Taiwan insider trading probe
Singapore retains world’s leading maritime centre ranking in 2026 ISCD Index
Russian court orders marine fuel supplier Transbunker assets transferred to state
-
Sanctions2 weeks agoUS reinstates Iran oil sanctions, orders wind-down by 17 July
-
Bunker Fuel Availability2 weeks agoENGINE: East of Suez Fuel Availability Outlook (7 July 2026)
-
Bunker Fuel Availability2 weeks agoENGINE: Europe and Africa Fuel Availability Outlook (8 July 2026)
-
Technology7 days agoMalaysia: Maharani Freeport to implement MFM and e-BDN technologies for enhanced bunkering transparency
-
Legal2 weeks agoEvergreen Marine director questioned, offices searched in Taiwan insider trading probe
-
Business2 weeks agoSingapore retains world’s leading maritime centre ranking in 2026 ISCD Index
-
Legal2 weeks agoRussian court orders marine fuel supplier Transbunker assets transferred to state
-
Lubricants2 weeks agoVPS on longer drains, lower cost: The role of oil analysis of synthetic engine oils