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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.

vps 1

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.

vps2

“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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Biofuel

GoodFuels ceases bio bunker fuel deliveries in Singapore after near three-year run

‘Whilst the GoodFuels team will continue its efforts to decarbonise global shipping from the Amsterdam office, we will be stopping all biofuel deliveries in Singapore with immediate effect,’ says Jing Xieng Han.

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Goodfuels

Biofuel supplier GoodFuels, FincoEnergies’ sustainable fuels brand, has stopped all biofuel deliveries in Singapore with immediate effect, according to Jing Xieng Han, General Manager of GoodFuels Asia Pacific, on Wednesday (6 November). 

GoodFuels first announced the opening of its first office in Singapore in February 2022. The Singapore office was GoodFuels’ second office and its first outside of Europe. 

At the time, GoodFuels said Singapore was chosen as the target for its first international expansion because of its importance to the global shipping industry and its leading position as a key bunkering hub, with mature bunkering infrastructure that will support the delivery of marine biofuel.

Jing said FincoEnergies has decided to consolidate GoodFuels operations in the Asia Pacific and ARA regions. 

“Whilst the GoodFuels team will continue its efforts to decarbonise global shipping from the Amsterdam office, we will be stopping all biofuel deliveries in Singapore with immediate effect,” she said in a social media post. 

“Our Amsterdam team remains dedicated to furthering the decarbonization of global shipping 'the Good Way' and I wish them continued success.”

Jing also announced that she will be departing GoodFuels Asia Pacific, effective 6 November as well. 

“It has been a privilege to contribute to the integration of biofuels into the bunkering sector in Singapore over the past three years,” she said.

“The rapid evolution of the industry has been mind-blowing, and I fondly recall addressing numerous queries on the technical feasibilities of biofuels as bunker fuels when I first launched our Singapore office in early 2022.”

Related: GoodFuels opens first Singapore office to meet growing biofuel demand

 

Photo credit: GoodFuels
Published: 7 November, 2024

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Biofuel

Chimbusco Pan Nation completes first B24 bio bunker fuel delivery in Singapore

CPN supplied 1,000 metric tonnes of ISCC-EU Certified B24 marine biofuel for “YM WITNESS”, a containership of Yang Ming Marine Transport Corp on 16 October.

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Chimbusco Pan Nation completes first B24 bio bunker fuel delivery in Singapore

Hong Kong-based marine fuel oil supplier Chimbusco Pan Nation Petro-Chemical (CPN) on Wednesday (6 November) completed the supply of 1,000 metric tonnes of ISCC-EU Certified B24 marine biofuel for YM WITNESS, a containership of Yang Ming Marine Transport Corp on 16 October. 

“This also embarks on CPN’s new journey to arrange supplying marine biofuel in Singapore,” the firm said in a social media post. 

B24 marine biofuel is a blend of 24% B100 biodiesel and Marine Fuel Oil, which significantly reduces carbon emissions and lowers its carbon footprint. Such product aligns with global efforts to combat climate change and reduces environmental impact. 

“CPN is committed to be the frontrunner in the transition towards more sustainable marine fuel options. This biofuel delivery reinforces CPN’s commitment to realizing eco-friendly port energy solutions and global decarbonisation goals,” it added. 

 

Photo credit: Chimbusco Pan Nation Petro-Chemical
Published: 7 November, 2024

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LNG Bunkering

Titan completes LNG bunkering operation in Port of Zeebrugge

Titan supplied newly built PCTC “Peony Leader” using bunkering vessel “Optimus”, marking the PCTC’s maiden LNG bunkering operation.

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Titan completes LNG bunkering operation in Port of Zeebrugge

LNG bunker fuel supplier Titan on Wednesday (6 November) said it has completed a LNG bunkering operation in the Port of Zeebrugge. 

Titan supplied the newly built Peony Leader Pure Car and Truck Carrier (PCTC) using Optimus – one of its LNG bunkering vessels (LBV).

“This was the maiden voyage for the Peony Leader, as well as the first time it bunkered LNG while in service. The Optimus’ crew closely supported throughout the process, providing guidance and information to the seafarers onboard the vehicle carrier,” it said in a social media post. 

“Our commercial team also visited CSP Zeebrugge to meet the new client, Chimbusco. With a greatly increasing number of PCTC newbuilds being LNG dual-fuelled, we look forward to many more successful LNG bunkering operations with Chimbusco and other shipowners in this segment.”

 

Photo credit: Titan
Published: 7 November, 2024

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