- Asian Progress Becomes U-Ming’s First Ship to Use B24 Biofuel.
- U-Ming Advances Net-Zero Goal with Biofuel Milestone.
- U-Ming Adopts B24 Biofuel to Cut Emissions by 20%.
U-Ming Marine Transport Corporation (UMTC) announced on 24 July that its 64K-class bulk carrier Asian Progress had completed its first bunkering of FAME B24 biofuel in the Port of Singapore, becoming U-Ming’s first vessel to use biofuel, marking an important step towards the company’s low-carbon shipping and net-zero carbon emissions target by 2050.
Strategic Push Towards Low-Carbon Fuels
Since 2023, U-Ming has been actively pursuing a strategy to substitute low-carbon fuels, significantly ramping up its use of liquefied natural gas (LNG). By 2024, LNG made up 8.15% of the company’s total energy consumption, showcasing real progress in their efforts to transition to low-carbon solutions.
Challenges for Small Vessels and Innovative Solutions
However, the installation of extra fuel tanks for LNG and other low-carbon fuels poses a challenge for smaller vessels, which often have limited space. To tackle this issue, U-Ming utilised the “Yuzhan Wheel,” a compact and highly manoeuvrable vessel, as a pilot ship for the introduction of B24 biofuel. This initiative marks the start of low-carbon fuel adoption among the smaller ships in U-Ming’s fleet.
Biofuel Supply and Environmental Impact
The biofuel was provided by TFG MARINE PTE LTD, amounting to 300 metric tons. Using B24 biofuel is expected to reduce well-to-wake carbon emissions by around 20% compared to traditional marine fuels, aligning with U-Ming’s short- and mid-term goals to boost its low-carbon fuel usage by 2030.
Commitment to Sustainable Shipping
This achievement underscores U-Ming’s proactive and forward-thinking approach to sustainable shipping, highlighting their long-term commitment to environmental responsibility and operational resilience through innovative low-carbon fuel solutions.
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Source: U-Ming