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VPS on Cashew Nut Shell Liquid: Biofuel saviour or concerning contaminant?

Steve Bee of VPS highlights potential and pitfalls of CNSL in marine biofuels in view of the maritime industry turning to CNSL as an alternative low carbon bio-option for FAME.

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Steve Bee, Group Marketing and Strategic Projects Director of marine fuels testing company VPS on Thursday (24 April) highlighted the potential and the pitfalls of Cashew Nut Shell Liquid (CNSL) in marine biofuels in view of the maritime industry turning to CNSL as an alternative low carbon bio-option for Fatty Acid Methyl Esters (FAME):

Cashew Nut Shell Liquid – Background

As demand grows from all modes of transportation for low-to-zero carbon fuels, to support efforts in complying and achieving numerous environmental legislation leading to global decarbonisation, many alternative fuel sources are being considered. One of the most common and in demand sources of such fuels, is Fatty Acid Methyl Esters (FAME), as either a 100% fuel-source, or as part of a bio-fossil blend. But with road transportation, aviation and shipping, all seeking to use FAME in their respective biofuels, demand is outweighing supply. Therefore, other bio-materials are being considered as alternatives to FAME.

One such material is Cashew Nut Shell Liquid (CNSL), which is the oil extracted from the shells of the cashew nut. This by-product of the cashew industry is a naturally occurring substituted phenol, which is abundantly available and a waste product, with a lower demand than FAME. The composition, properties and quality of CNSL depend upon the specific manufacturing production process used to extract the oil from the shell. These vary from, mechanical pressing to solvent extraction, vacuum pyrolysis, vacuum distillation or solvent extraction.

The industrial applications where CNSL is a key component are wide ranging and include, the production of polymers, plastics, resins, adhesives, surface coatings, insecticides, fungicides, anti-termite products and even pharmaceutical products.

There are three main components of CNSL, these are Cardanol, (also known as Ginkgol), Cardol and Anacardic Acid:

VPS on Cashew Nut Shell Liquid: Biofuel saviour or concerning contaminant?
These substituted phenols tend to exhibit high acid number values (>3mgKOH/g). They also show high iodine values (>300gI2/100g), indicating an elevated level of unsaturation and hence increased degrees of reactivity and instability. Then also, high potassium levels leading to potential post-combustion deposits and corrosion of turbocharger nozzle rings.

As monomers, these chemicals are also prone to polymerisation at temperatures, >200ºC. As a consequence CNSL is potentially a highly reactive, very corrosive material.

However, the levels of acidity and reactivity can be reduced during the production and refining process by converting Cardol and Anacardic Acid to Cardanol. If the CNSL is >98% Cardanol, then the reactivity is significantly reduced.

VPS Testing of CNSL as a Biofuel

Over the past 3 years VPS have tested various CNSL compounds and fuel-blends to assess the potential of CNSL to be a viable biofuel.

Firstly, the use of CNSL blends can significantly reduce HC, CO/CO2 and smoke emissions, although they can raise NOx emissions slightly. However, VPS would advise never to use 100% CNSL as a fuel, as it is far too reactive and corrosive. Further advice is to always check with the OEM regarding the compatibility of CNSL-based biodiesel blended products, with their machinery. Traditional marine fuels when blended with CNSL, may reduce the high acid number, reactivity and potassium levels of 100% CNSL, but also increase the energy content, sulphur content, cold-flow and sediment potential issues.

Fuel Combustion Analysis (FCA) of CNSL/Fossil Fuel Blends

In the recent past, VPS have tested CNSL products, blended with marine gas oil (MGO), very low sulphur fuel oils (VLSFO) and high sulphur fuel oils (HSFO). When undertaking fuel combustion analysis (FCA) of CNSL blended at varying percentages with MGO, VLSFO and HSFO, a wide range of results were produced in relation to, estimated cetane number, ignition delay and rate of heat release (ROHR), examples are given in the table below:

VPS on Cashew Nut Shell Liquid: Biofuel saviour or concerning contaminant?

The CNSL blends with HSFO which undertook FCA, were particularly poor, with low Estimated Cetane Number (ECN), long Ignition Delay and low ROHR. CNSL blended with VLSFO gave better results, with acceptable ECN, shorter ignition delay and improved ROHR. Blending CNSL with MGO, gave better results than those obtained by HSFO/CNSL and VLSFO/CNSL blends.

Whether the blends were 80/20, 70/30 or 50/50 Fossil/CNSL, the blends using HSFO consistently gave the poorest FCA results. This may be due to a negative interaction between the asphaltenic content of the HSFO and the acidic nature of the CNSL.

Each of the CNSL blends gave poorer FCA results, when compared with the 100% fossil fuels, HSFO, VLSFO, MGO and 100% FAME.

Please note, to VPS knowledge, the above highlighted CNSL blends were not burnt onboard a vessel.

Burning CNSL/Fossil Blends

CNSL-blended fuels with MGO, VLSFO, or HSFO, have shown mixed reactions to vessel operations, where some CNSL-blends have been stored and burnt without issue, whilst, other CNSL-blends have given rise to operational problems such as:

  • Fuel sludging
  • Fuel injector failure
  • Corrosion of engine parts
  • Filter clogging
  • Fuel system deposits
  • Corrosion of turbocharger nozzle rings
  • Damage to Selective Catalytic Reactor (SCR) units.

The quality of the CNSL, through its production and refining processes, will of course be significantly influential in relation to the quality of the fuel, but also the quality of the fossil fuel with which it is blended, will also have an influence.

Note: The full article on CNSL can be viewed here.

 

Photo credit: VPS
Published: 25 April, 2025

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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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