Boskalis has taken delivery of its largest-ever consignment of drop-in biofuel. It will power the two hopper dredgers Willem van Oranje and Strandway on upcoming projects in northwestern Europe.
The use of biofuel is said to result in a CO2 reduction of approximately ninety per cent for the 12,000-m3 hopper dredger Willem van Oranje and about 45 per cent for the 4500-m3 hopper dredger Strandway.
The delivery of approximately 1000 m3 of Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO), a sustainable biofuel derived from used cooking oil, was in collaboration with Boskalis’ long-term partner and fuel supplier, GoodFuels.
Also read: Boskalis is reviewing position in Smit Lamnalco
Boskalis on Bio
The dredging and offshore contractor’s own testing programme with GoodFuels and engine manufacturer Wärtsilä that began in 2015 has demonstrated that drop-in marine biofuels can reduce the CO2 emissions by up to ninety per cent compared to fossil fuels. In 2019, as part of the “Boskalis on Bio” program, the Willem van Oranje became the world’s first dredging vessel to operate on 100 per cent biofuel oil.
Since then, Boskalis has successfully used various biofuel blends as an alternative to fossil fuels on both dredging and offshore installation vessels, as well as for dry earthmoving equipment, resulting in a considerable emissions reductions.
Through its agreement with GoodFuels, Boskalis enables its clients to opt for biofuel-powered vessels to reduce their carbon emissions on projects. Last year, eighty per cent of the comapany’s project tenders in the Netherlands included sustainability measures, including options to use biofuels.
Also read: Boskalis publishes book on the salvage of the Ever Given
