Arkas Bunker on Tuesday (1 October) said it has started to supply biofuel to the maritime industry for the first time in Türkiye. 

With the bunkering of Arkas Line's container vessel, Matilde A, a marine fuel containing environmentally friendly bio-components, entirely produced from waste in Türkiye, has been used for the first time in Türkiye. 

The firm said the blended marine fuel, named "Bio24F," significantly reduces carbon emissions without modifying the vessel's fuel system.

As the first bunkering company in Türkiye to obtain the International  Sustainability and Carbon  Certification (ISCC), Arkas Bunker stated it has reached yet another milestone by carrying out the Bio24F bunkering of Arkas Line's vessel at the port of Marport.

Seckin Gul, General Manager of Arkas Bunker, said: “As Arkas Bunker, we have been working for many years on solutions that comply with international regulations and reduce greenhouse gas emissions from vessels. Since the main source of these emissions is the fuel they use, we have focused on sustainable marine fuels.”

“About three years ago, we started research and development on bio-components by taking a closer look at marine biofuels. In February, we achieved our goal for 2024 by obtaining the ISCC certification, becoming Türkiye’s first ISCC-certified bunker supplier.”

“Now, we are marking another first in Türkiye’s maritime industry. Our ISCC-certified product, ‘Bio24F,’ will significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions from vessels, making it much easier for shipowners to achieve their sustainability goals. As Arkas, we continue to develop new products with our expert technical team, using our experience as the owner and operator of Türkiye’s largest container vessel fleet.”

Arkas Line CEO Can Atalay, said, "Türkiye’s first biofuel, Bio24F, was supplied by Arkas Bunker to an Arkas Line vessel for the first time. Our trials have shown that we can reduce carbon emissions without needing any modifications to our vessel’s fuel system.”

“This will help us comply with regulations and bring us closer to our sustainability goals.”

Arkas Bunker added Bio24F represents a strategic advancement in marine fuel technology. It is made by blending 24% ISCC-certified used cooking oil (UCO) with 76% fuel oil (FO).

The UCO component of the biofuel is derived from processing waste collected from restaurants and food facilities. The bio-component in Bio24F is valuable because it can significantly reduce carbon emissions compared to conventional marine fuels.

The fuel oil used in Bio24F is a refined petroleum product that meets International Maritime Organization (IMO) regulations. It has a lower sulphur content than traditional high-sulphur fuels, which helps reduce sulphur oxide emissions. Biofuels, which can be blended with fossil fuels and are made from biological sources, aim to play a significant role in reducing emissions from vessels.

 

Photo credit: Arkas Bunker
Published: 2 October, 2024 

Sea Splendor International Pte Ltd, a subsidiary of Hong Kong bunkering firm Sea Trader International, on Tuesday (1 October) announced the opening of their office in Singapore to strengthen its regional presence and support local customers. 

Sea Splendor is a Hong Kong-based marine energy logistics and lubricant supply company. This is their third trading office in Asia outside of Hong Kong, following their offices in Shanghai and Seoul.

Mr. Simon Szeto, Managing Director of Sea Trader Group, said: “This expansion marks a significant milestone in our journey and reflects our commitment to better serving our customers and partners in the Asia-Pacific.”

The Singapore office will be led by Mr. Liow Liak Hong, General Manager. With his past exposure in Marine Engineering and the extensive experience he has gained over the years in the bunker industry, Mr. Liow has a strong background in the bunker industry. 

Prior to joining Sea Splendor, Mr. Liow worked at Wired Bunkering and Propeller Fuels. I am confident that he can propel the company to another level of success.

Ms. Astor Tsang will also join Sea Splendor International Pte Ltd as their Trading Manager. She will be responsible for the Southeast Asia supply and sales desk. 

With over 15 years of experience in the physical supplier sector and bunker sales, Tsang has a strong background in both client segments and marine energy supply management. 

Prior to joining Sea Splendor, Tsang worked in the physical marine supplier sector in Malaysia at Energe Asia and various reputable trading houses such as Chimbusco International and Intergr8 Fuel.

Tsang said: “I’m looking forward to embarking on my journey with the Sea Splendor family, and I hope my past experience and network will add value and contribute to the team.”

Contact details of Sea Splendor’s new office in Singapore: 

60 Paya Lebar Road
#08-30 Paya Lebar Square
Singapore 409051
Email: [email protected]
Liow Liak Hong: [email protected]
Astor Tsang: [email protected] 

 

Photo credit: Sea Trader International
Published: 1 October, 2024 

Fuel treatment technology specialist Aderco Group on Monday (30 September) announced its official certification as a B Corporation (B Corp), joining a global community of businesses meeting the high standards of social and environmental impact. 

 The firm said the significant milestone reflected Aderco’s unwavering commitment to sustainability, diversity, and ethical business practices.

Since its founding in 1981, the company has pioneered fuel treatment solutions that are 100% vegetal-based - an innovation that no other company in the industry has achieved. 

 Headquartered in Switzerland, with four additional offices in Belgium, the United Kingdom, Singapore, and India, Aderco has aimed to be divergent, building a business model centred around positive social and environmental impact. 

The B Corp certification reaffirms the values that have guided the company from the beginning and validates Aderco’s belief that businesses should be a force for good.

 "At Aderco, being different has always been at the heart of what we do," said Olivier Baiwir, Chief Executive Officer of Aderco.

“We've been committed to social and environmental impact since day one. This B Corp certification not only validates what we’ve believed in for over 40 years but also reaffirms that Aderco is leading the way in our industry. No one else is doing what we’re doing—and that makes us extremely proud.”

What is B Corp Certification?

The B Corp certification is a rigorous assessment that measures a company’s social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency. It recognises businesses that go beyond profit, using their platform to benefit workers, customers, communities, and the environment.

Key Facts: B Corp Certification:

• Aderco scored 83.3 points on the B Impact Assessment, exceeding the minimum requirement of 80 points for certification. More than 9,000 companies across 160 industries in over 100 countries have achieved B Corp certification.
• The certification assesses businesses in five key areas: Governance, Workers, Community, Environment, and Customers. Aderco’s detailed scores are available here. 
• B Corp certification applies to Aderco’s global operations, demonstrating the company’s commitment to social and environmental responsibility across all regions.

Being in an industry often associated with environmental challenges, Aderco’s B Corp certification sets a new standard for what can be achieved through innovation and responsible business practices. 

“This certification signals to our stakeholders and the wider community that we are committed to going beyond profit, aiming to create a positive impact on people and the planet,” it said. 

“This achievement is indeed a testament to our ongoing commitment to create a positive impact not only within our industry but also on the planet, as well as society at large," said Gérald Baiwir, Head of Environment at Aderco. 

“As a B Corp, we are proud to join a global community of businesses that are leading the way in using business as a force for good.”“Our B Corp certification isn't just an accolade - it’s a reflection of the values we’ve held for over four decades. It confirms what we’ve always believed in, namely, business must make a positive difference.”

As the only fuel treatment provider offering 100% vegetal-based solutions, this achievement affirmed Aderco's pioneering role in the industry and its ongoing drive to positively impact society and the environment. 

“This milestone confirms what we’ve always known - that business can and should be a catalyst for positive change,” added Olivier Baiwir.

As Aderco continues to expand its global presence, this certification will serve as a cornerstone in its strategy to drive positive environmental and social impact, while setting a new standard of excellence within the fuel treatment industry.

Related: Aderco launches new Fuel and CO2 Savings Simulators for marine and industrial industries
Related: Singapore: Aderco expands operations in Asia with new office
Related: Test results of independent laboratories confirm positive impact of Aderco 2055G on biofuel bunker fuel storage

 

Photo credit: Aderco
Published: 1 October, 2024