To reduce CO2 emissions, Spliethoff Group has trialled biofuel on its vessels. The first trial took place between June and November last year on BigLift Shipping’s BigLift Baffin with fifty per cent FAME-based biofuel. This was followed by a 100 per cent FAME-based biofuel trial with the Flevogracht.
The heavy transport vessel BigLift Baffin was supplied with a blend of fifty per cent FAME-based biofuel – a second generation biofuel, made from waste streams – and fifty per cent conventional heavy fuel oil (HFO). The objective of this trial was to test if biofuel is suitable for use, as yet in combination with HFO, and to determine whether the biofuel can be stored in a bunker tank for a longer period before being used.
Since the results of this trial were positive on both points, the next step was to test the use of 100 per cent biofuel. This step started in Amsterdam on 13 December when Spliethoff’s multipurpose cargo vessel Flevogracht was bunkered with this type of biofuel.
Also read: Spliethoff experiments with “nose job” for P-Type vessels
Once these tests have been completed successfully, Spliethoff Group will be able to offer clients the option to use biofuels for certain trades and projects, which inherently gives the possibility of emission reduction in logistics.
GoodFuels
Both trials were executed in cooperation with GoodFuels, a Netherlands based global pioneer in sustainable marine fuels.
Also read: SWZ|Maritime’s January issue: 100 years of Spliethoff
