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Alternative Fuels

VPS: Shipowners turn to ‘highly reactive’ Cashew Nut Shell Liquid (CNSL) biofuel blends for marine fuel

Competition for FAME from aviation and road transportation sectors have resulted in some shipowners resorting to adopt more readily available CNSL blends as biofuel for vessels, explains Steve Bee.
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The drive towards decarbonisation has lately brought shipowners to adopt Cashew Nut Shell Liquid (CNSL) as a biologically renewable resource for marine fuel, learned bunkering publication Manifold Times.

“One of the latest biofuels to come into the marine market is CNSL,” said Steve Bee, Group Commercial Director, VPS at the VPS Biofuels Seminar on Wednesday (15 February).

“CNSL is a bio component used instead of FAME and is a naturally occurring byproduct of the cashew nut industry. It’s a substituted phenol, a low-cost renewable substance, and chemically reactive.”

Competition for Fatty Acid Methyl Esters (FAME), a traditional component of biodiesel, from the aviation and road transportation sectors have resulted in some shipowners resorting to adopt more readily available CNSL blends as biofuels for their vessels, explained Bee.

He highlighted properties of CNSL seemed to conform with the ISO 8217:2012 standard for marine distillate and marine residual fuels, but warned CNSL-blended fuels with MGO, VLSFO or HSFO have shown mixed reactions to vessel operations.

“Some CNSL-blends have been stored and burnt without issue, whereas others have given rise to operational problems including fuel sludging, injector failure, filter clogging, system deposits, corrosion of turbocharger nozzle rings, and damage to SCR units, amongst others,” he shared.

“The thing to remember is CNSL, though not corrosive to copper or steel, is a reactive phenolic compound which can polymerise forming gums while also creating fuel deposits.”

According to Bee, CNSL is used as an effective monomer in many industrial plastic applications such as resin manufacturing, adhesives, laminates, and surface coatings production due to its ability to polymerise when heated above 200°C.

“CNSL is a long chain substituted phenol, which as a monomer is highly reactive,” he highlighted.

“The thing to be aware of for CNSL is it exhibits very high acid values usually greater than 3mg KOH/g; and considering the ISO 8217 limit is 2.5mg KOH/g, pure CNSL is highly corrosive.

“In terms of its iodine value, these are also very high at greater than 300 g I2/100g so it’s highly reactive and less stable.

“Further, potassium levels within CNSL are typically high leading to potential post-combustion deposits and corrosion of turbocharger nozzle rings.”

Bee recommended shipowners to not use 100% CNSL as a marine fuel and advised stakeholders to initiate discussions with their OEMs on the material compatibility of CNSL-based biodiesel blended products.

“Though blending 100% CNSL will reduce its high acid number, reactivity and potassium levels while increasing energy content, the operation may increase sulphur, cold-flow and sediment potential issues instead,” he pointed out.

“CNSL blends can also significantly reduce hydrocarbon, CO/CO2 and smoke emissions, although they raise NOx emissions slightly.

“Absence of sulphur in CNSL will require marine engine lubrication oils with low TBN and high detergency in order to provide efficient engine lubrication and prevent scuffing.

“Don’t try and store this material for longer than three months. And if that is unavoidable, then tests every couple of months for acid number, iodine value, plus obviously ISO 8217 parameters will have to be done.”

Moving forward, Bee was keen to introduce an Additional Protection Service for biofuels based on VPS’ experience of having tested more than 1,000 biofuels as marine fuels.

“Biofuels will certainly reduce carbon dioxide emissions from ships and certainly help towards a reduction in pollution from the global fleet,” he stated.

“But they do come with their own individual considerations in terms of transfer, storage and use. Good fuel management and understanding of the pros and cons of biofuels should mitigate the risks of using this particular material.

“My final message is please use VPS’ experienced expertise to support you, in your use of biofuels, to protect your assets, to protect the crew, and protect the environment.”

Related: VPS organises seminar on biofuel bunkers in Singapore
Related: VPS launches APS-BIO offering biofuels protection service against potential damage

 

Photo credit: Manifold Times
Published: 17 February, 2023

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Biofuel

Chimbusco and SPG complete first biofuel bunkering operation in Northern China

Chimbusco’s “DA YUAN YOU 8” tanker refuelled the “HMM VANCOUVER” with 1,300 metric tonnes of B24 biofuel at Qingdao Port.
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June 20, 2025

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Chimbusco and SPG achieves first biofuel bunkering operation in Northern China

China Marine Bunker (PetroChina) Co Ltd (Chimbusco) and Shandong Port Group (SPG) recently said they successfully completed the first B24 biofuel bunkering operation in Northern China on 14 June.

Chimbusco’s “DA YUAN YOU 8 ” tanker refuelled the “HMM VANCOUVER” with 1,300 metric tonnes (mt) of B24 biofuel at Qingdao Port.

Chimbusco said the successful bunkering operation not only marks a milestone in the bonded biofuel bunkering business for international voyage vessels in northern China but also represents a critical milestone in the green and low-carbon transformation of the shipping industry around the Bohai Sea and throughout northern China. 

B24 biofuel is a blend of 24% waste cooking oil and 76% high-sulphur fuel oil. Authoritatively certified, the company said this fuel can significantly reduce carbon emissions from vessel operations by up to 20%, providing shipowners with an efficient and convenient low-carbon solution to comply with increasingly stringent International Maritime Organization (IMO) emission reduction regulations. 

Since the beginning of this year, Chimbusco said it has achieved top records of bunkering volumes in the green fuel sector. From the first successful operation at Ningbo-Zhoushan Port in eastern China to subsequent bunkering operations in Shenzhen, Xiamen, and other major ports across the country, the company has further consolidated its regular supply capabilities. 

During this in-depth cooperation with SPG’s Qingdao Port, Chimbusco’s “Green Energy Label” made its debut at the operation site. 

“This further confirms that Chimbusco is deploying green fuel bunkering services to help Chinese ports accelerate the construction of a maritime green energy supply network,” the company said. 

 

Photo credit: Shandong Port Group
Published: 20 June, 2025

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Ammonia

Korea to develop global standards for discharge of toxic effluent from ammonia-fuelled ships

KR and major Korean shipyards such as HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering, HD Hyundai Samho and Samsung Heavy Industries will be part of the group.

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June 20, 2025

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Korea to develop global standards for discharge of toxic effluent from ammonia-fuelled ships

Classification society Korean Register (KR) said it has launched a joint working group to establish international standards for the safe discharge of toxic ammonia effluent generated from ammonia-fuelled ships.

Major Korean shipyards such as HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering, HD Hyundai Samho, Samsung Heavy Industries, Hanwha Ocean, and the Korea Testing & Research Institute (KTR) will be part of the group. 

KR said ammonia is attracting attention as an eco-friendly alternative fuel that does not emit carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, but due to its strong toxicity and concerns about marine pollution, it is essential to establish separate safety standards. 

In particular, ammonia effluent generated from wet treatment systems currently has no clear treatment standards, which causes considerable technical and operational uncertainty in ship design and operation.

Accordingly, the group aims to establish international standards related to the storage, treatment, and discharge of ammonia wastewater generated from ships and to officially propose this to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) through the Korean government.

The launch of this consultative body is a follow-up measure to a proposal by KR and the Korean government to the IMO in 2024 for the need to establish safety standards for ammonia effluent, which was officially approved at the 83rd IMO Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) in April 2025. The group plans to propose a draft standard to the IMO in 2026 and lead international discussions.

Kim Tae-seong, Head of the KTR headquarters, said: “We will provide reliable scientific data to establish ammonia wastewater management guidelines and treatment standards. We will actively cooperate to secure the international competitiveness of the domestic shipbuilding and shipping industries.”
Kim Kyung-bok, Vice President of KR, said: “This consultative body is a symbolic case of our shipbuilding and shipping industries joining forces to lead the establishment of international safety standards based on our country’s advanced technologies.”

“KR will continue to support the development of alternative fuel safety standards and international standardisation efforts together with our government.”

 

Photo credit: Korean Register
Published: 20 June, 2025

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Alternative Fuels

Fratelli Cosulich and IINO Lines to collaborate on alternative bunker fuels

Fratelli Cosulich Marine Energy and IINO Lines signed a MoU, setting a foundation for further collaboration in the areas of methanol, LNG, and ammonia bunkering.

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June 20, 2025

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Fratelli Cosulich Marine Energy and IINO Lines on Thursday (19 June) announced a strategic cooperation that reinforces their shared commitment to the decarbonisation of the maritime industry.

The two companies have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore new business opportunities in the alternative marine fuels sector. 

“This agreement marks a significant step in the long-standing relationship between the two companies and sets the foundation for further collaboration in the areas of methanol, LNG, and ammonia bunkering,” Fratelli Cosulich said. 

Through the MoU, the parties will engage in joint initiatives, exchange market insights, and facilitate connections with potential suppliers and stakeholders in the alternative fuels space. 

“We are proud to announce the partnership with Fratelli Cosulich for initiatives in alternative marine fuels. Both companies have extensive history in the shipping industry,” said Yusuke Otani, President of IINO Lines. 

“The joint development will enable a holistic approach for building a supply chain of alternative marine fuels.”

“As we navigate the energy transition, partnerships like the one we announce today with IINO Lines are essential in shaping the future of sustainable shipping,” said Timothy Cosulich, CEO of Fratelli Cosulich Group. 

“By combining our expertise and resources, we aim to drive the adoption of cleaner marine fuels and contribute to the decarbonization of global shipping.”

 

Photo credit: Scott Graham
Published: 20 June, 2025

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