The test will being with a bunkering of the marine bio-fuel oil on a CMA CGM containership on 19 March.
The test is being facilitated by the GoodShipping Program, a sustainable initiative dedicated to decarbonising ocean freight, and is the latest step in the scaling of low carbon marine bio-fuel oils for wider commercial use within the maritime industry.
Xavier Leclercq, vice president, CMA Ships, said: “In a few days, we will be testing second-generation biofuel in one of CMA CGM’s vessels for the first time. Having an HFO-equivalent solution in biofuel oil available with no engineering or operational changes required to our vessel offers a safe, manageable and innovative opportunity to facilitate shipping’s wider transition to new fuel solutions.”
Read more: CMA CGM opts for mix of LNG propulsion and scrubbers on 10 newbuilds
This announcement comes at a time when the shipping sector is at a crossroads, with owners and operators required to switch to low sulphur fuels by 2020.
The industry also faces impending IMO greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction requirements, including an objective to reduce average carbon intensity from shipping – the amount of carbon emitted for each unit of transport – by at least 40% by 2030, and 70% by 2050.
The sustainable marine bio-fuel oil has been developed by GoodFuels, a provider of sustainable marine biofuels to the global commercial shipping fleet, after undergoing three years of testing with marine engine manufacturers.
The second generation bio-fuel oil is completely derived from forest residues and waste oil products, expected to deliver 80-90% well-to-propeller CO2 reduction versus fossil equivalents, and virtually eliminates sulphur oxide (SOx) emissions - all without any requirement for engine modifications.
Allard Castelein, ceo of Port of Rotterdam, commented: “The Port of Rotterdam considers this initiative by IKEA, CMA CGM and GoodShipping to be a strong rallying cry to the shipping industry.
“This bunkering shows that decarbonisation of sea trade is well achievable. It’s clear that shippers play an important role in decarbonising the industry. In Rotterdam the necessary infrastructure is available. Besides that, to support these kind of initiatives, we have just started a four year period during which we have EUR5m ($5.6m) to spend on stimulating specific projects to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from the global shipping industry,” he said.
Read more: Rotterdam port launches low carbon fuels incentive scheme
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