Marubeni completes biofuel trial run on ethylene carrier
Japanese conglomerate Marubeni Corporation has successfully completed a pilot run of a biofuel blend onboard an ethylene carrier.
PHOTO: Ethylene carrier GasChem Dollart. Marubeni
The trial was carried out on an ethylene carrier, GasChem Dollart, which is on a long-term charter with Marubeni from GasChem Services.
The vessel was bunkered with B25 marine biofuel – a blend of 25% biofuel with conventional VLSFO at Vlissingen, the Netherlands last month.
Supplied by BP Europa, the biofuel comprised of used cooking oil and methyl ester.
The vessel’s voyage from Vlissingen to Morgan's Point, Texas, USA concluded the trial.
Marubeni claims that this biofuel blend can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions on a life cycle assessment. Besides, no engine modification is needed to use this blend.
The company provides logistic service for ethylene transportation worldwide.
Exploration of biofuels has been gaining momentum among shipowners to reduce near-term carbon emissions as these can used as drop-in fuels after being blended with conventional fuels.
Earlier this month, Spanish oil company Cepsa successfully trialled biofuel on one of its vessels and is set to offer the blend to its customers.
In September, Hong Kong-based shipping line OOCL concluded a 41-day trial run of a biofuel blend supplied by Chevron Singapore.
By Tuhin Roy
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