Marine biofuels have been hailed by one of Sweden’s largest shippers as an “important part of the puzzle going forward” following landmark trials across the world this year.
IKEA Transport & Logistics Services, CMA CGM, and the GoodShipping Program have successfully completed a biofuel test programme on the French line’s vessels, following the positive trials of heavy fuel oil-equivalent (HFO) biofuel oil (GoodFuels BFO) on CMA CGM Alexander von Humboldt’s North Europe-Asia trip, which occurred in September and October 2019.
’s North Europe-Asia trip, which occurred in September and October 2019.This latest development follows the first ever refuelling of a containership with sustainable biofuel, when the CMA CGM White Shark took on the bunker during a call at the Port of Rotterdam in March this year.
The trial saw sustainable biofuel oil used in a blend with conventional fossil-based marine fuels to power a vessel on a major oceangoing route. Both applications of the biofuel oil showed a positive result, proving the technical compatibility of sustainable marine biofuels.
“These developments demonstrate the viability of advanced biofuels to meet current and future environmental regulations and emissions reductions targets, delivering a more sustainable shipping industry,” the companies stated in a release yesterday.
All GoodFuels sustainable marine fuels claim to be virtually SOx free and deliver 80-90% well-to-propeller CO2 reduction versus fossil equivalents.
“With scalability, bio-fuel oil effectively future-proofs requirements for shipowners and operators to comply with future regulations on carbon reduction by 2030 and 2050,” GoodFuels claimed yesterday.
Elisabeth Munck af Rosenschöld, head of sustainability, IKEA Global Transport & Logistics Services, commented: “It is only through collaboration and partnerships between major players – including cargo owners, ship operators and solution providers – that we can achieve real change at fast pace. We need a diversified portfolio of solutions to achieve our ambitious emissions reduction targets – and marine biofuels are an important part of the puzzle going forward for our sector.”
Xavier Leclercq, vice president of CMA Ships, said: “These landmark trials give the maritime sector a vital demonstration into the scalability, sustainability and technical compliance of marine biofuel oil.”
