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

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.

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.

“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