Alternative fuels comprised 12% of NYK’s marine fuel mix in 2025
Low greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions marine fuels accounted for 12.2% of Japanese shipping company NYK Line’s total fuel consumption in the financial year 2025 (FY2025).
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Japanese shipping company Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK Line) continued to expand its dual-fuel fleet, operating 35 such vessels in the previous financial year, up from 26 in 2024. The figures exclude LNG carriers and LNG-ready vessels, the company said.
Biofuels comprised the largest share of NYK Line’s marine fuel mix during the mentioned period, followed by LNG.
Biofuel consumption rose to 297,000 mt in FY2025, continuing an upward trajectory from 251,000 mt a year earlier and a baseline of 6,000 mt in FY2023.
The shipping company is actively “increasing the use of biofuels and alternative fuels available today to achieve immediate GHG emissions reductions.”
NYK Line’s progressive shift toward low-emission marine fuels helped the company to reduce its emissions by 260,000 mt of CO2 equivalent (CO2e) in FY2025, it said.
Biofuel usage cut emissions by an estimated 200,000 mt CO2e relative to energy-equivalent heavy fuel oil like HSFO, NYK Line said, adding that the emissions reductions were verified by ISCC certification.
The shipping company laid a groundwork for broader biofuel adoption with the launch of a 12-month B100 (100% biofuel) pilot project aboard a car carrier in May 2026.
The biofuel is derived from used cooking oil. The trial focuses on monitoring engine durability following continuous use of B100 and developing safe operational guidelines.
“In addition to the B100 trial, NYK is advancing the evaluation and verification of Cashew Nut Shell Liquid (CNSL) as part of efforts to expand the range of sustainable biofuel options,” it said.
NYK Line’s net-zero by 2050 roadmap follows a two-pronged approach: expanding the use of low-emission marine fuels while maximising vessel design and operational efficiencies, the shipping company added.
By Aparupa Mazumder
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