MOL successfully trials ExxonMobil’s biofuel blend on LNG carrier

Japanese shipping company Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) has completed a trial run of a biofuel blend supplied by marine fuel supplier ExxonMobil Marine.

PHOTO: LNG Carrier Papua. Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL)

The trial was carried out on MOL-owned LNG carrier, Papua, which is on a long-term charter contract for a project helmed by ExxonMobil.

The vessel was bunkered with around 1,500 mt of biofuel – a blend of 25% biofuel with conventional VLSFO in Singapore. The biofuel comprised of waste-based fatty acid methyl esters.

The vessel is used to transport LNG for the PNG LNG project in Papua New Guinea.

MOL claims that this biofuel blend can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. It considers biofuel “as an effective alternative to fossil fuels.”

Exploration of biofuels has been gaining momentum among shipowners to reduce near-term carbon emissions as these can be used as drop-in fuels after being blended with conventional fuels.

Among flurry of trials, last month, Germany-based cruise line Hapag-Lloyd Cruises successfully concluded trial run of a biofuel blend supplied by Dutch supplier GoodFuels. And Japanese conglomerate Marubeni Corporation successfully completed a pilot run of a biofuel blend onboard an ethylene carrier.

By Tuhin Roy

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