Ocean Network Express (ONE) on Tuesday (22 February) announced the successful completion of the biofuel trial onboard MOL ENDOWMENT.
Singapore Trade Data Exchange (SGTraDex), a digital infrastructure that facilitates the sharing of data between supply chain ecosystem partners, facilitated the digital transfer of data for the first biofuel trade between Chevron and ONE.
Conducted as part of the Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation’s (GCMD) pilot project to establish a quality, quantity and GHG abatement assurance framework for drop-in biofuels, the M/V MOL ENDOWMENT was refuelled with 992 metric tonnes (mt) of marine biofuel product from Chevron at the Port of Singapore, on 21 December 2022.
The vessel, deployed on ONE’s Japan Straits Malaysia (JSM) service, fully utilised the biofuel in 20 days. Biofuel consumption started on 7 January 2023, after the vessel left the port of Kobe in Japan, passing Keelung, Hong Kong and then sailed to Southeast Asia. The biofuel was fully consumed on 26 January 2023, on its return voyage to Japan from Port Klang.
The biofuel used was B24, a blend of Used Cooking Oil Methyl Ester (UCOME), and Very Low Sulphur Fuel Oil (VLSFO). UCOME is produced from Used Cooking Oil (UCO), which is derived from residue or feedstocks labelled as 100% waste and has been certified for its sustainability in accordance with internationally recognized ISCC standards.
The biofuel blend, supplied by Chevron, is considered a sustainable fuel that is similar to petroleum-derived marine fuels in terms of its operational application.
Tracing these biofuels along the supply chain from production to use is a key aspect of GCMD’s pilot to articulate a robust GHG abatement assurance framework. As such, the biofuel and its blends were dosed with a physical tracer and subjected to multiple samplings across its supply chain for laboratory analysis. The resultant data will be used by GCMD as inputs in developing the assurance framework.
The trial required no modifications to the marine engines or fuel infrastructure. It also demonstrated that marine biofuel products can be considered ‘Drop-in fuels’ for reducing carbon emissions from ships. The use and testing of the biofuel were performed in partnership with shipowner Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd., and the biofuel was supplied in accordance with the standard on specifications of marine biofuel (WA2:2022) established by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore.
Digitisation of Bunkering Documents
The trial also marked a step forward in digitisation as the biofuel transaction was made digitally through the SGTraDex. SGTraDex is a digital utility that facilitates the sharing of data between supply chain ecosystem partners through a common data highway to enable secure exchange of information.
During the biofuel trial, the exchange of documents between ONE and Chevron were made through SGTraDex. These documents include the Certificate of Quality, Bunkering Sales Confirmation, Bunker Delivery Note, Bunkering Sales Invoice (Delivery). Additionally, supporting documents, such as Mass Flow Meter (MFM) receipts, MFM seals checklist, meter recording form and International Sustainability and Carbon (ISCC) Certification, were also done digitally. This digitisation of bunkering documents helped to reduce the paper-based processes and made the transaction both more efficient and secure.
“The maritime industry has many interconnected players, and collaboration is key in moving our decarbonisation ambition forward. It is encouraging to see the various partners at different points of the supply chain come together in this biofuel trial for the common goal of a better, more sustainable future,” said Jeremy Nixon, CEO of Ocean Network Express.
“At ONE, digitisation and decarbonisation are some of our top business priorities. This fourth biofuel trial marks a step forward in our goal to achieve net-zero by 2050.”
“With the maritime sector’s drive towards lowering greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, we are starting to see accelerated pivots towards a new generation of alternative sustainable fuels” said Antoine Cadoux, CEO SGTraDex Services.
“ONE is happy to partner SGTraDex and Chevron on this biofuel transaction as it aligns with our efforts in digitisation and sustainability. At ONE, we believe that digitisation will help the industry be more future ready and efficient. To get there, collaborations across industry players on initiatives like these are important to help pave the way for a greener future” said Takashi Kase, Senior Vice President of Global Vessel Operations, Fuel and Marine Safety & Quality at ONE.
Related: GCMD-led consortium completes trials of sustainable biofuel bunker supply chains
Related: Chevron Singapore and ONE complete inaugural biofuel bunkering with SGTraDex
Photo credit: Ocean Network Express
Published: 22 February, 2023
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