Jan De Nul’s hopper dredger sails 2,000 hours on 100% biofuel

The vessel Alexander von Humboldt was powered by renewable second-generation biofuel oil and two propellers driven by a total of three MAN engines.

Jan De Nul pointed out that this major milestone represents the longest continuous use of 100% sustainable marine biofuel in the maritime industry, proving that biofuel is ready for use as a sustainable drop-in fuel to meet industry emissions reduction targets.

Michel Deruyck, head of energy department at Jan De Nul Group, said: “With our choice of this sustainable marine biofuel, we want to prove to the governments and our clients that if they have climate ambitions and incorporate these in the selection procedures, the industry is ready for it. It is very important now that the right policies and regulations follow to leverage the full potential of biofuel oil. Research into fuels of the future is useful, but it should not prevent us from using sustainable solutions already available today for the much-needed energy transition within the shipping industry.”

Jan De Nul noted that the important technical benchmark of 2,000 sailing hours proves the technical applicability and capabilities of sustainable marine biofuel in operations. At the same time, it opens the door to cross-sectoral collaboration with original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), class societies, flag states, and supply chains to accelerate the supply of these fuels into mainstream use.

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The Alexander von Humboldt consumed the biofuel while conducting maintenance dredging works in Flemish seaports and the UK.

The biofuel oil was introduced by GoodFuels in 2018. It was the first marine second-generation, fossil-fuel-equivalent biofuel that is completely derived from sustainable waste feedstock.