- Swire Shipping made a voluntary decision to adopt biofuel-powered shipping
- Collaboration with Argent Energy and BP for sustainability and exploration
- Added launch of carbon abatement program “Voyage to Zero.”
- Successful test of B24 biofuel in August 2024 to equip for long-term adoption.
Swire Shipping, a leading Asia-Pacific company, has undertaken the world’s first biofuel shipping services to the Pacific Islands. Three vessels switch to biofuel blends, partnering with sister company and BP Singapore, and the launch of ‘Voyage to Zero’ marks a major highlight towards decarbonizing maritime transport and combating climate change.
Strategic Switching to BioFuel for Greener Future
The biofuel switch increases Swire Shipping’s sustainability drive and expands options for customers opting for emission reduction. Three vessels, namely Apia Chief, Tonga Chief, and Kokopo Chief, are involved in the biofuel program that has adopted 2nd generation biofuel blends (with the successful B24 trial completed in August 2024):
Apia Chief and Tonga Chief operate under the Pacific Weekly Express (PWX) service, linking Southeast Asia to Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, New Caledonia, and Fiji. Kokopo Chief serves the East Timor (ETS) route, connecting Singapore, Dili, Darwin, and Surabaya every 10 days.
Initially, the ships will bunker B24 biofuel in Singapore (Q2 2025), later transitioning to B30 for even greater emission cuts.
Noting the impacts of climate change on the South Pacific island nations, Swire Shipping’s CEO, Jeremy Sutton, emphasizes this move to support a greener shipping industry with a commitment to a more sustainable future.
Powering Ahead with Biofuel Producer And Supplier
Aligning with the waste-based biofuel producer Argent Energy, Swire Group is ready to deliver sustainable shipping to its customers. BP Singapore — partnering with a biofuel supplier, BP Singapore, to explore next-gen marine biofuel feedstocks.
Louise Calviou, CEO of Argent Energy, noted this successful biofuel program that highlights what can be achieved through strong international partnerships, united by the common goal of decarbonization.
Swire’s Carbon-Free Shipping – ‘Voyage to Zero’
Marking success in the biofuel program, Swire Shipping is also launching ‘Voyage to Zero’, a carbon abatement initiative where customers receive independently verified emission savings certificates, to help cut their Scope 3 emissions.
With the vision of voluntary emission reduction targets for 2027, Susana Germino, Chief Sustainability & Energy Transition Officer, said “In this first year, the impact of the program will be comparable to removing 2,700 cars from the road.”
Did you subscribe to our Daily newsletter?
It’s Free! Click here to Subscribe!
Source: Swire Shipping
