Summary
The Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation (GCMD) has successfully completed the final supply chain trial for biofuel blended with very low sulfur fuel oil (VLSFO). This achievement concludes a series of trials that began in July 2022 as part of a larger pilot project aiming to develop a framework assuring the quality, quantity, and greenhouse gas (GHG) abatement potential of drop-in fuels.
Final Trial Overview
In this conclusive trial, bp supplied a B30 biofuel blend to the TIHAMA, a 19,870 TEU container vessel operated by Hapag-Lloyd. A critical component of the biofuel, certified to the International Sustainability & Carbon Certification (ISCC) standard, consisted of neat Fatty Acid Methyl Ester (FAME) derived from food waste. This certification is part of a robust multistakeholder scheme for biobased materials.
Tracer Technology and Quality Assurance
Authentix, a provider of tracer solutions, supplied and dosed the FAME with an organic-based tracer at a storage terminal outside the Netherlands. The dosed FAME was then transported to the Port of Rotterdam and blended with VLSFO to achieve the B30 blend. The blend was subsequently bunkered onboard the TIHAMA.
To ensure quality at every stage, GCMD engaged Veritas Petroleum Services (VPS) to witness operations from biofuel transfer to bunkering. VPS conducted extensive laboratory tests on fuel samples, assessing them against Standards EN 14214 and ISO 8217.
Emissions Reduction and Compliance
The neat FAME demonstrated a well-to-wake emission level of 13.74 gCO2e/MJ, corresponding to an 85.4% emissions reduction compared to traditional fossil marine fuel. This reduction exceeds the MEPC 80 mandate, which requires a minimum 65% emissions reduction for biofuels to be deemed sustainable.
When consumed, the 4,500 MT of B30 blend resulted in a 27.9% emissions reduction compared to VLSFO alone, as determined by GCMD and Hapag-Lloyd.
Innovative Tracer Deployment
GCMD collaborated with Authentix to develop and deploy a new organic-based tracer, marking its first application within a marine fuel supply chain. Previously, similar tracers authenticated and quantified biofuels in road transport and LPG supply chains.
This trial involved the deployment of varying tracer technologies, including synthetic DNA and element-based tracers. GCMD also developed a chemical fingerprinting methodology and evaluated additional solutions, such as lock-and-seal mechanisms and automatic identification systems (AIS), to ensure biofuel supply chain integrity.
Framework Development and Future Insights
Experience gained from these trials will inform a framework recommending the appropriate use of tracer technologies to guarantee consistent performance. This initiative complements the existing ISCC by adding physical traceability.
GCMD plans to share insights from these trials through reports covering traceability challenges, biofuel degradation, supply chain optimization, and abatement costs. This information will form part of a comprehensive assurance framework for biofuel use, scheduled for release in the fourth quarter of 2024.
Looking Ahead
Reflecting on the trials, Professor Lynn Loo, CEO of GCMD, stated:
“Over the past 18 months, GCMD has meticulously conducted these supply chain trials of biofuels use under business-as-usual conditions. Collaborating with partners to test different tracing techniques, our aim is to remove adoption barriers and increase user confidence and uptake of biofuels by assuring users that they are getting value for the cost premium, mitigating fears of biofuels adulteration, and preventing fraud.”
These successful trials represent significant progress toward maritime decarbonization, paving the way for broader adoption of biofuels and contributing to a more sustainable future for the shipping industry.
