RSB has defined 12 principles with which biomaterials have to comply to be certified as sustainable and therefore be eligible for the RSB stamp of approval. These include levels of CO2 reduction, human rights impact and legal criteria.
GoodFuels’ certification, which assesses the sustainable viability of the biomaterials to generate marine bunker fuel, has been awarded for two years.
Barbara Bramble, chair of RSB’s Board of Directors, said: “GoodFuels is working to change the story of marine shipping emissions. They aim to promote the use of RSB-certified ‘drop-in’ marine fuels.”
“By looking to source RSB certified fuels, GoodFuels will be paving the way for a more sustainable future for the marine transportation industry,” she added.
‘Drop-in’ biofuels are liquid hydrocarbons that are functionally equivalent to petroleum-based fuels, meaning that they can effectively be ‘dropped in’ to existing infrastructure.
Together with its partners, dredging and marine expert Boskalis, and supplier of engines and power systems Wärtsilä, GoodFuels announced in October a two-year pilot programme to accelerate the development of sustainable, scalable and affordable drop-in biofuels for use in the commercial shipping industry.
GoodFuels has also created a ‘sustainability advisory board’ of some of the world’s experts on biofuel extraction, to ensure its products are 100% sustainable.