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VPS reiterates importance of understanding nature of biofuels, before mass adoption as bunker fuel for shipping

Assuring to see shipping industry moving towards decarbonisation but current surge in biofuel adoption also leaves a vacuum gap in proper knowledge of handling biofuel, states Captain Rahul Choudhuri.

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Rahul at APPEC 2023

An urgency exists for the nature of biofuels to be further understood before mass adoption by the shipping industry as a bunker fuel, advised the Managing Director for Asia, Middle East & Africa (AMEA) at marine fuels testing company VPS.

Captain Rahul Choudhuri was speaking to delegates at Session 3: Alternative fuels: Unlocking their potential to transform shipping of the APPEC 2023 conference on Wednesday (8 September) when he noted of biofuel’s increasing popularity as a quick ‘drop-in’ solution by shipowners keen to meet the International Maritime Organization (IMO) 2030 environmental target.

“We have seen a large number of ship owners, both big and small, completing their trials successfully so the popularity has been proven since no engine modification is needed and IMO has now confirmed biofuels for CII reduction at MEPC 80,” stated Captain Choudhuri during his presentation Future Biofuels for shipping.

The development is best shown by VPS experiencing a demand jump from 1% to 61% between the period of 2019 to 2022 for its biofuel testing services.

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A rising forecast towards the increased adoption of biofuels has also led to the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), in consultation with relevant industry experts, developing a provisional national standard on specifications of marine biofuel (WA 2:2022).

The Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation (GCMD), meanwhile, is amid a pilot for drop-in biofuels that aims to establish an assurance framework to ensure the supply chain integrity of current and future green marine fuels. Their full report, where VPS continues to play a key partnership role in the evaluation & future use of biofuels, is expected to be completed soon.  

“It is assuring to see the shipping industry moving towards decarbonisation; however, the current surge in biofuel adoption also leaves a vacuum gap in proper knowledge of handling biofuel as a bunker fuel,” explained Captain Choudhuri.

“For example, biofuels have a greater affinity towards water hence their storage and microbial contamination at sea will be factor influencing quality. And this does not include long-term stability issues of the material due to its inherent instability and oxidation-prone characteristics.

“While poor material compatibility [of biofuels] will likely result in co-mingling and blending issues on board, shipowners will have to consider poor cold flow property associated with the product.”

In light of the above, Captain Choudhuri recommended shipowners to implement a series of proper fuel management controls to minimise risk of encountering off-specification biofuel.

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“Each type of biofuel, whether neat 100% FAME, bio-VLSFO, bio-MFO or even HVO (hydrogenated vegetable oils) will need a set of quality controls for effective fuel management in the future. You need to know and understand what the biofuel is, because although it mimics fossil fuels, it is produced in a completely different chemical process” he shared.

Related: Singapore: MPA develops framework to support biofuel bunker fuel deliveries
Related: GCMD and partners complete bunkering of third biofuel supply chain trial, involving tracer dosing
Related: Dubai: Shipowners and peers discuss realities of biofuel adoption at VPS Biofuels Seminar
Related: Singapore: VPS panel discussion presents a masterclass in shipping’s biofuel bunker adoption issues

 

Photo credit: VPS
Published: 8 September 2023

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Newbuilding

Singapore: Pinnacle Marine’s first B100 fuelled utility boat starts 1,000-hour research trial

Newbuilding operated by Prestige Ocean Pte Ltd will capture data on bunker fuel emissions, marine fuel behaviour, and performance.

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President MT

The 50th vessel constructed by local boat builder Pinnacle Marine (Singapore) Pte Ltd, namely President 100, is starting 1,000 hours of real-time research trials in collaboration with several parties from Wednesday (9 July) onwards, it says.

Powered by B100 biodiesel, the newbuilding operated by Prestige Ocean Pte Ltd will capture data on bunker fuel emissions, marine fuel behaviour, and performance.

It will be participating in trials with Maritime Energy & Sustainable Development Centre of Excellence (MESD), Weichai Singapore, China Classification Society, Pacific International Lines (PTE) Ltd, Abo Shoten, Ltd. / 株式会社安保商店 , Abo Singapore, Wilmar International, Gulf Marine, Amspec Testing & Services, and AYK Engineering and Consulting.

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The President 100, Pinnacle Marine’s first full biodiesel utility boat, was launched on Tuesday in the presence of over 100 guests.

“Our latest vessel, President 100, merges legacy and future. Named after our first aluminium boat (“President”) and inspired by B100 biodiesel, it leads the charge for our next 50 vessels — many of which will embrace green technology,” stated Pinnacle Marine in a LinkedIn post.

“The launch was amazing, with strong turnout from across the maritime sector — authorities, shipowners, operators, agencies, chandlers, researchers, offshore engineers, and petrochemical suppliers.”

It added: “We’re excited to see how it paves the way for wider adoption of B100 biodiesel — a cleaner, sustainable path for Singapore’s harbour craft sector.”

 

Photo credit: Pinnacle Marine (Singapore) Pte Ltd
Published: 9 July 2025

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Newbuilding

BHP awards charter contracts for two ammonia dual-fuelled bulk carriers

BHP continues to work with the maritime industry to develop an ammonia bunkering plan for the two vessels when they are delivered from 2028.

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BHP ammonia DF charters

Global resources company BHP on Wednesday (2 July) signed contracts with COSCO Shipping Bulk Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of COSCO shipping Group (COSCO Shipping) for the charter of two ammonia dual-fuelled Newcastlemax bulk carriers.

The new vessels to be built under this arrangement will be two of only a handful of vessels in the world capable of using ammonia as a bunker fuel.

The two vessels, expected to be delivered from 2028, will primarily transport iron ore from Western Australia to Northeast Asia.

When run on lower or low to zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions ammonia, these vessels will be capable of reducing GHG emissions by at least 50% and up to 95% on a per voyage basis compared to a conventionally fuelled voyage.

The five-year time charter contracts are expected to contribute towards a reduction in the GHG emissions intensity of BHP chartered shipping.

BHP continues to work with the maritime industry to develop an ammonia bunkering plan – the process of fuelling ships with ammonia – for the two vessels when they are delivered from 2028.

Sourcing lower and low to zero GHG emissions ammonia is subject to an ongoing tender process.

 

Photo credit: BHP
Published: 9 July 2025

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Milestone

China: Chimbusco and BJEC enter green methanol cooperation agreement

Document was signed between Ding Lihai, deputy general manager of Chimbusco, and Li Jianjun, deputy general manager of BJEC.

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Chimbusco x BJEC MT

China Marine Bunker (PetroChina) Co.,Ltd. (Chimbusco) and POWERCHINA Beijing Engineering Corporation Limited (BJEC) on Thursday (3 July) formally entered into a green methanol strategic cooperation framework agreement.

The document was signed between Ding Lihai, deputy general manager of Chimbusco, and Li Jianjun, deputy general manager of BJEC.

BJEC, a subsidiary of China Power Engineering Group, is experienced in the survey, design, construction and technology research and development of large-scale renewable energy projects.

Moving forward, the two parties said they will respectively focus on their core advantages and work together to promote the production, supply, storage and refuelling of green methanol as an energy source to help support the low-carbon transformation of the shipping industry.

Ding Lihai said: “The shipping industry is one of the important sources of global carbon emissions. Promoting low-carbon fuel is the key to the transformation of the industry. As the main force in the supply of bunker fuel, Chimbusco has been committed to expanding its clean fuel supply capacity. The cooperation with BJEC will integrate the advantages of green energy development and fuel supply, accelerate the large-scale application of green methanol, and meet the needs of shipping companies for clean fuel. We look forward to providing effective solutions for the green transformation of the shipping industry through the joint efforts of both parties.”

Li Jianjun said: “Implementing the ‘dual carbon’ goal is an important responsibility of enterprises. BJEC has accumulated strong technical strength in the field of green energy. This cooperation with Chimbusco will focus on the entire industrial chain of green methanol, from raw materials, production to supply, to provide clean and sustainable fuel solutions for the shipping industry. The complementary advantages of both parties will promote the rapid development of the green methanol industry and inject strong impetus into the low-carbon transformation of the shipping industry.”

 

Photo credit: China Marine Bunker (PetroChina) Co.,Ltd.
Published: 8 July 2025

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