Medium-Range Tanker Tests Biofuel Bunkers to Reduce GHG Emissions

The 47,377 dwt MT Pacific Beryl. Photo: Eastern Pacific Shipping

Singapore-based Eastern Pacific Shipping (EPS) has teamed biofuel supplier GoodFuels to test biofuel bunkers on board the 2010-built MR tanker M/T Pacific Beryl.

Bunkering of the biofuel took place on October 8 in Dutch waters.

The test is in-line with EPS’ Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) Policy, which calls for the testing and use of various alternative marine fuels to significantly lower greenhouse gas emissions. “Alternative marine fuels are essential transitional fuels that will pave the way towards industry-wide decarbonisation and the preservation of the environment for future generations,” the company said in a statement.

GoodFuels supplied the residual-fuel equivalent Bio-Fuel Oil (BFO) and performance will be tested and analyzed on the MT Pacific Beryl, as well as other classes of EPS managed ships in the near future.

The trial highlights the need for shipowners and managers not to take a wait-and-see approach towards decarbonisation, EPS said.

“We are already implementing LNG and LPG across 30 of our newbuilds, but we need to look at other options for our existing fleet,” said EPS’ CEO Cyril Ducau. “Biofuels, such as the advanced, sustainable biofuels supplied by GoodFuels, provides us with a solution that matches our values and sustainability agenda. Our whole team is looking forward to the results of this trial and expects biofuels to be another example of not letting the perfect be the enemy of the good.”

GoodFuels’ “drop-in” BFO was launched in 2018 is sustainably sourced and completely derived from forest residues and waste oil products. The company has already completed successful trials with vessels belonging to Stena Bulk, Jan De Nul, UECC, Jumbo Shipping, and CMA CGM, among others.

Bart Hellings, Chief Operating Officer at GoodFuels, added: “This announcement marks yet another important milestone in accelerating the energy transition within shipping. We are delighted this test with EPS was a success and want to thank them for fully embracing a carbon-busting solution that is scalable, truly sustainable, technically compliant and affordable.

“Together, we are showing the shipping industry, and the world, that sustainable solutions to reduce the environmental impact of operations already exist on the market – and that advanced marine biofuels will play an important part in the future alternative fuel mix.”

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