Biofuel

SMW 2024: Ken Energy and Green COP partner to advance bio bunker fuels in Singapore

Through partnership between its two members, CSA said SGD 10 million will be invested into development and production of biofuel blends and aims to launch commercial-scale production by 2026.

Published

12 months ago

April 17, 2024

Admin

SMW 2024: Ken Energy and Green COP partner to advance bio bunker fuels in Singapore

The Coastal Sustainability Alliance (CSA), an industry collaborative effort led by Kuok Maritime Group (KMG), on Tuesday 916 April) announced its plans to advance the maritime biofuel ecosystem in Singapore with up to SGD 10 million (USD 7.33 million) in investments.

The partnership will be spearheaded by two of its Alliance members – Green COP and Ken Energy – which formalised a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) today at the Tech Stage (EXPO @SMW) at Singapore Maritime Week 2024.

Over the next two years, the CSA aims to develop stable B30, B40 and B50 biofuel blends and achieve production and commercial adoption of up to 50% (B50), derived from 50% agri-waste to Biobutanol – a blend poised to significantly reduce carbon emissions in maritime operations.

This process includes biofuel certification, commencing sea trials, building a production plant by 2025, and launching commercial-scale production by 2026. An initial SGD 500,000 angel investment has been secured for establishing a pilot plant for processing agri-waste, and over SGD 10 million is expected to be invested in scaling production capabilities.

These efforts in decarbonising the maritime sector will contribute to the CSA’s efforts to build the next generation of Singapore’s coastal ecosystem and are timely to address the potential surge in demand for sustainable biofuels.

Mr Tan Thai Yong, Managing Director, Strategic Projects and Technology, Kuok Maritime Group and Chairperson, CSA Council, said: “The formation of biofuel ecosystem under the Coastal Sustainability Alliance demonstrates our commitment to foster partnerships and deliver innovative sustainable maritime solutions for our conventional fleet owners as they progressively switch to lower emissions vessels.

“In bringing together Green COP and Ken Energy, we are laying the groundwork for a new biofuel supply chain and providing a viable alternative in the energy transition for the maritime sector. This initiative is more than an advancement in fuel technology as it exemplifies the power of collaboration, underscoring the CSA’s role as a steward and catalyst for positive change in the maritime industry.”

The CSA is actively driving maritime biofuel development to provide a viable biofuel alternative for vessels to reduce carbon emissions. The ecosystem will secure a ready supply of biofuel for local coastal demand and ensure the quality and stability of the biofuels with supply chain track and trace. This initiative also seeks to bolster Singapore’s standing in the Global Biofuels Alliance over the long term by building new R&D and innovation tracks in line with the nation’s environmental commitments.

Through this partnership, Ken Energy will play a pivotal role in strengthening the market and commercial utilisation of Biobutanol in maritime operations. This comprises vital aspects such as operational feasibility, life cycle assessment, and carbon emission reduction strategies. Ken Energy’s expertise and resources will be instrumental in optimising the practical implementation of Biobutanol for a B30-B50 blend and subsequent market integration in providing B50 to its customer fleet of bunker barges and CSA members.

Desmond Chong, Managing Director of Ken Energy, said: “We believe in the green transition that the maritime industry is embarking on. This conviction underscores our strategic collaboration with Green COP. Leveraging our proficiency in marine transportation logistics alongside Green COP's commendable sustainable biofuel production, we aim to spur the industry's widespread adoption of biofuels."

Green COP, with its proprietary technology, specialises in the efficient conversion of plant-based biowaste into sustainable biofuels through a patented pre-treatment and fermentation process. This innovative, cost-effective approach maximises resource utilisation and minimises waste generation, contributing to the circular economy and environmental sustainability.

Dr Hanson Lee, CEO of Green COP, said, “Green COP presents existing fleet owners with a coherent biofuel solution to achieve their net-zero targets in a progressive manner. We envision a future where Sustainable Marine Fuels (SMF), alongside coastal electrification, become the norm. The CSA has provided us access to market insights, industry collaborations and the necessary incubation for our growth. We look forward to working with more like-minded partners to spur biofuels research and adoption.”

Earlier in March 2024, Green COP signed an MOU agreement with 3Y Energy to develop and optimise green biofuel blends for the maritime and transportation sectors. Through this collaboration, Green COP will set up a pilot plant capable of processing a ton of biomass daily to produce sustainable fuels, while 3Y Energy will provide the innovative solutions in green fuel utilisation including biofuel blends.

Introducing the B50 blend represents a significant advancement in reducing carbon emissions within the maritime industry. For every metric ton (mt) of B50 fuel burned, carbon emissions are reduced to 1.5 mt, a substantial improvement over the B30 blend, which reduces CO2 emissions to 2.1 mt per metric ton of fuel burned. Additionally, the production of Biobutanol, a key component of the B50 blend, is more energy-efficient and yields a higher volume of fuel compared to traditional methods used for producing Fatty Acid Methyl Ester (FAME). This enhances the sustainability of the fuel production process and supports the maritime sector’s transition to greener energy sources.

The CSA will continue to broaden the scope of the pioneering biofuel ecosystem and seek additional collaborations from stakeholders across the maritime and energy sectors to enhance technological, adoption and logistical capabilities.

This development follows closely on the heels of the Coastal Sustainability Alliance PXO Electric Fleet Signing and MoU Ceremony, held on 12 April.

Photo credit: Coastal Sustainability Alliance
Published: 17 April 2024

Up Next

China: Headway and CEEC Group join forces in green hydrogen, methanol and ammonia integration project

Don't Miss

SMW 2024: Pacific Environment, Ulsan Port Authority to accelerate zero-emission shipping and ports

Biofuel

Monjasa and NYK complete first-ever biofuel bunkering operation in Panama

Monjasa delivered a total of 900 mt of B30 biofuel, using tanker “Monjasa Thunder”, to NYK-operated vessel “Hestia Leader” at Port of Cristobal, marking the first ISCC-certified biofuels supply in Panama.

Published

6 hours ago

March 28, 2025

Admin

Monjasa and NYK complete first-ever biofuel bunkering operation in Panama

Marine fuels supplier Monjasa on Thursday (27 March) said it delivered a total of 900 metric tonnes (mt) of B30 biofuel to NYK-operated vessel Hestia Leader in the Port of Cristobal, Panama on 2 February.

This ship-to-ship operation was performed by the 19,991 dwt Monjasa Thunder and marked the first ISCC-certified biofuels supply in Panama and the establishment of a scalable 2nd generation marine biofuels supply chain. This setup is capable of supplying a total of 5,000-7,000 mt monthly.

On 24 March 2025, the Panama Canal Authority announced the introduction of a NetZero Slot designed to support and reward shipowners and operators on their journey towards decarbonisation.

General Manager Latin America, Jonas Bruslund, said: “The introduction of biofuels in Panama has progressed slower than in major bunkering hubs like Singapore or Rotterdam, mainly due to lack of local feedstock and customer commitments.”

“However, we have now developed a viable strategy with a longstanding business partner to ship biofuels products from Europe for the benefit of shipowners operating in the Panama Canal area.”

“The Panama Canal has a strong agenda to promote low-carbon fuels and higher energy efficiency and we are pleased to challenge the status quo and actively support these efforts.”

Monjasa established its local maritime logistics in 2015 and today manages seven vessels across the Atlantic and Pacific areas of the Panama Canal.

In the Americas, Monjasa has already established biofuels partnerships across the port of Callao in Peru and in Cartagena, Colombia.

As an ISCC-certified partner, Monjasa allows all involved parties to trace feedstock used to produce biofuels from the point of origin to the end consumer. On this first supply in Panama, the B30 product consisted of 30% Fatty Acid Methyl Ester (FAME) and 70% Very Low Sulphur Fuel Oil (VLSFO).

Monjasa still awaits the shift away from sporadic biofuels inquiries to a broader pick-up in demand. Until then, Monjasa aims to continue establishing a string of global biofuels supply locations to support the shipping industry in meeting IMO’s 2050 climate change commitments.

Photo credit: Monjasa
Published: 28 March, 2025

Alternative Fuels

Glander facilitates two bio-LNG bunker fuel deliveries for Neste tankers

During both bunkering operations in March – one in Antwerp, Belgium and the other in Hamina, Finland – bio-LNG was supplied to Neste’s LNG-fuelled tanker fleet, which would otherwise run on fossil LNG.

Published

1 day ago

March 27, 2025

Admin

Glander International Bunkering on Wednesday (26 March) said it facilitated two consecutive BioLNG deliveries this month for Neste’s LNG-fuelled tanker fleet.

During both bunkering operations – one in Antwerp, Belgium and the other in Hamina, Finland – bio-LNG was supplied to reduce the carbon footprint of the vessels, which would otherwise run on fossil LNG.

Alvaro Sierra, Sales Manager at Glander International Bunkering, said: “These deliveries were particularly significant, as we successfully coordinated both supplies at different locations on short notice while ensuring all necessary certifications were in place.”

“It was a demanding operation that required precision, expertise, and strong collaboration, and we successfully delivered.”

To make efficient use of the existing European-wide distribution networks, which are predominantly transporting fossil products, a mass balancing approach was applied, verifying that the agreed upon volume of bio-LNG has been used to replace fossil LNG.

Sander Wilgenhof, Head of Shipping at Neste, said: “Sea transports are one of the most efficient ways to transport our raw materials and refined fuels – and bio-LNG is one of the alternative fuels which allows us to reduce the carbon footprint of our logistics,” he said.

Photo credit: Glander International Bunkering
Published: 27 March, 2025

Biofuel

Sallaum Lines aims for 3,400 metric tonnes of bio bunker supply in 2025

As part of the company’s transition plan to safe bunkering with biofuels, Sallaum Lines’ vessel “Silver Moon” is now operating on a biofuel blend of 90% VLSFO and 10% FAME.

Published

2 days ago

March 26, 2025

Admin

Sallaum Lines aims for 3,400 metric tonnes of bio bunker supply in 2025

Swiss-based Sallaum Lines, an international ocean transportation company specialised in global RoRo cargo shipping, on Tuesday (25 March) said it expects to receive numerous biofuel bunker supplies totalling around 3,400 metric tonnes (mt) in 2025.

This strategy is expected to save around 1,000 mt of CO2 equivalent emissions.

As part of its transition plan to safe bunkering with biofuels, Sallaum Lines’ vessel, Silver Moon, is now operating on a biofuel blend of 90% Very Low Sulphur Fuel Oil (VLSFO) and 10% Fatty Acid Methyl Esters (FAME)—a significant step toward reducing harmful emissions and promoting cleaner fuel alternatives.

“This combination reduces harmful emissions and offers a more sustainable fuel profile compared to traditional petroleum-based options. As interest in alternative fuels grows, Sallaum Lines sets a remarkable example for the industry, challenging conventional practices that have persisted for decades.”

The company added it achieved a reduction of 10% in emissions on its first voyage from South Africa to Europe, marking a crucial milestone in its sustainability journey.

Photo credit: Sallaum Lines
Published: 26 March, 2025