Rotterdam-Singapore completes successful biomethane bunkering pilotRotterdam-Singapore completes successful biomethane bunkering pilot

The Rotterdam-Singapore Green and Digital Shipping Corridor (GDSC) announced it has successfully concluded a pilot for bunkering liquefied bio-methane at the Port of Rotterdam with Shell and CMA CGM.

The bunkering was carried out on 19 October 2024, when 100 tonnes of mass-balanced liquefied biomethane was supplied to CMA CGM’s LNG-powered containership CMA CGM Tivoli 2.

Mass balancing tracks the liquefied biomethane and its decarbonisation credentials through the supply chain, so that while the product delivered may be a mix of fossil LNG and bio-derived liquified bio-methane, a chain of custody can be demonstrated to attribute the sustainability improvements to the biomethane’s buyer.

The process also enables certification against the EU’s Renewable Energy Directive II, and FuelEU Maritime regulations. This pilot will also provide CMA CGM with the opportunity to ensure that mass-balanced LBM is properly recognised by the authorities in relation to the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS), said GDSC.

A similar bunkering pilot with a full mass balanced chain of custody is planned for Singapore, the group added.

Shell issued a proof of sustainability certificate for the liquefied biomethane as part of the pilot, confirming the fuel’s compliance with EU regulations. The certificate will be audited by International Sustainability and Carbon Certification-European Union (ISCC-EU) accredited third parties.

Bio-derived fuels have lower lifecycle carbon emissions than their fossil counterparts as the carbon contained in the fuel is generated from renewable feedstocks, as opposed to fossil fuels which emit carbon that would otherwise remain stored in oil and gas deposits.

The liquefied biomethane used in the pilot was produced from a waste-based feedstock, according to GDSC.

The pilot was carried out by the GDSC’s bio-methane working group, led by SEA-LNG, one of multiple working groups encouraging the uptake of zero- and near-zero emission fuels including methanol, ammonia and hydrogen.