- Potential of biofuels for shipping
- Guy Wilson-Roberts
Bunkerworld
GMT 21:54
18th Jul 2007There have been some recent tests by ship operators of biofuels, such as a B20 mix as well as purer palm-oil derived diesel biofuel. With pressure on ships to burn ultra-low sulphur MGO, is there potential for biofuels to replace or supplement MGO as a ship distillate fuel? - David Finneren
P.T. Minaca Selaras
GMT 22:59
29th Jul 2007
IP: x.x.127.70Hi Guy - could you please advise further details regarding 'recent tests by ship operators of biofuels' and any further inputs you may have received on this subject. We are a sustainable biodiesel producer in S.E Asia with a keen interest to work closely with the shipping industry to achieve more sustainable bunker operations.
Kind regards,
David Finneren - Guy Wilson-Roberts
Bunkerworld
GMT 21:15
30th Jul 2007
IP: x.x.88.148David,
Perhaps others in the forum know of other tests but I can recall two.
Last year the Port of Los Angeles tested a B20 biodiesel in some harbour vessels, and a local bunker supplier said that there was no reason that the fuel couldn't be used in larger engines.
(http://www.sustainableshipping.com/news/2006/08/65243)
Also, Royal Caribbean started testing palm-oil diesel in its Alaska cruise ships in 2005 and apparently used over 100,000 mt last year. (http://www.sustainableshipping.com/news/2007/07/68594) - More details have been emerging about using biofuel as a MGO replacement: (http://www.sustainableshipping.com/news/2007/09/69110)
But palm-oil based biofuel has become increasingly controversial, due to its environmental implications: (http://www.sustainableshipping.com/news/2007/10/69392)
It would seem that there's no easy way forward.
