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Report: NorthStandard, World Fuel and VPS discuss biofuel, potential issues and measures

Delivered in a question and answer format that allows VPS and World Fuel to comment on issues raised by NorthStandard, substantial focus is given to fuel quality.

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Report: NorthStandard, World Fuel and VPS discuss biofuel, potential issues and measures

NorthStandard on Thursday (26 February) said it has published a new white paper focusing on the accelerating adoption of biofuels in commercial shipping.

Biofuels – Driving the green transition brings together insights from NorthStandard, supplier World Fuel and leading testing agency Veritas Petroleum Services (VPS), in a unique discussion document outlining biofuel uptake, potential issues and loss prevention measures.         

Many owner-operators who seek a drop-in solution to drive maritime decarbonisation choose biofuel blends. With regulation tightening, replacing conventional bunker fuels without major modifications to ship systems is appealing and low risk. Biofuel sample testing undertaken by VPS increased by a factor of 12 between 2021 and 2025, for example, to reach over 1 million metric tonnes (mt).  

Blends with a ‘bio’ component of 5%-10% are already widely used. Last year, FuelEU Maritime regulations required ships to cut GHG intensity 2%, with 6% necessary by 2030. 

However, with reductions to 14.5% required by 2035 and up to 80% by 2050, higher bio components will be needed. Meanwhile, a 30%-40% bio component aligns with the International Maritime Organization target for ships to cut well-to-wake GHG intensity 65% by 2040 (compared to 2008).  

“Biofuels remain the leading short-term decarbonisation pathway for shipping, and regulatory tightening, rapid demand growth, and increasingly diverse feedstocks mean that buyers must implement stronger due diligence,” said Mark Smith, Loss Prevention Director – NNE and Decarbonisation, NorthStandard.  

“NorthStandard has already received a first batch of biofuel quality-related claims, as well as several enquiries on the proof of sustainability (PoS) and supporting documentation required to verify compliance.”

Delivered in a question and answer format that allows VPS and World Fuel to comment on issues raised by NorthStandard, substantial focus is given to fuel quality. Fuels described as B100 (100%) biofuels sometimes turn out to be bio blends, for example, with unpredictable performance.  

Where lower bio component blends are concerned, buyers must be nonetheless aware whether that component comprises Fatty Acid Methyl Esters, Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil or other substances, such as Cashew Nut Shell Liquid. 

“In an ideal world owners would use HVO given its similarities to traditional marine diesel fuels,“ according to Michael Green, Senior Quality Manager, World Fuel. 

“But from a supply perspective availability and overall cost are two major challenges. HVO is used widely in other transport sectors and as such availability for marine is likely to be limited. 

“Robust and transparent development protocols, overseen by industry bodies such as ISO and CIMAC will be vital as new and different types of ‘bio’ are used to fill the availability gap.” 

The experts agree that improvements in refining and distillation have remedied some quality issues when CNSL is used as a feedstock, such as engine wear or corrosion, fouling, clogging, sludging or instability, and poor ignition. However, buyers need to be vigilant on quality.   

“Biofuels do require further fuel management and testing considerations. However, FAME and HVO have mature specifications and generally predictable performance; whereas CNSL and other novel feedstocks require a more cautious approach,” commented Steve Bee, Group Marketing & Strategic, Projects Director, VPS. 

“Certification and chain-of-custody documentation is a critical compliance factor and must be integrated into contracts, audits, and onboard reporting systems.”  

In another critical recommendation, no biofuel should be transferred until the Union Database (UDB) transaction ID has been provided, the group of experts said, while the ID should also be digitally linked to the Bunker Delivery Note, once visible.

Note: The white paper, titled ‘Biofuels – Driving the green transition’, can be downloaded here

 

Photo credit: NorthStandard
Published: 27 February, 2026

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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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