Belgium-based independent oil tanker company Euronav has successfully completed a B30 biofuel bunker test on the Statia, reads the company news release.
B30 biofuel bunker test on the Statia
Euronav bunkered 1,502 metric tonnes (mt) of the B30 biodiesel blend manufactured by energy supplier BP on the Suezmax vessel Statia. The biofuel is composed of 30% advanced carbon neutral biofuel mixed with 70% of a conventional Very Low Sulphur Fuel Oil (VLSFO) bunker fuel.
The blend was supplied in the port of Rotterdam as part of a government incentive allowing cost effective blend of biofuels into marine fuel (Incentive Scheme for Climate-Friendly Shipping).
The Statia tested approximately 360 MT of the B30 biofuel blend during a two-week trial in September while the vessel was in commercial operations on its way to Angola. The trial of the blend was successful and showed no significant differences in operations or any malfunctions that could lead to a breakdown, says Euronav.
As a result, and after departure in Chili, the remaining B30 biofuel blend on the vessel is now the only fuel in operational use, both for the main engine and the auxiliary engines, on its way to Brazil.
A critical bridge to decarbonisation
Rustin Edwards, Head of Fuel Oil at Euronav, “It is important for us to understand how to handle biofuels on our vessels, to test their longevity and stability, and how they behave when used in engines, generators and alike.”
“The migration into using biofuels is a critical step on the road to reducing emissions, as the use of biofuel will reduce our overall impact on the environment with little additional investment.”
“The use of biofuel blends will be a critical bridge to decarbonisation until the development and commercial availability of zero emissions fuels. As we continue this journey toward decarbonisation, we will keep on adjusting our operations and our fuel procurement strategies as needed.”
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Source: Euronav
