Making biofuel available across the UK

GAC was appointed to operate and maintain GBF’s Cork Terminal in March 2023. The first 39,000-litre lifting of Gd⁺ fuel, was completed in April and is bound for Mullingar in central Ireland where it will be used for several applications.

“Together with GAC Bunker Fuels, we are committed to facilitating the growth of biofuels as an alternative fuel of the future throughout the UK and Ireland,” said Nicholas Browne, managing director of GAC UK & Ireland.

”It is fantastic to support GBF and to work with the Port of Cork on this project.”

All change

Before acquiring the facility at Cork, GBF leased tanks in the UK through third parties. The beginning of operations at its own facility is a major milestone for the company – and partnering with GAC to oversee day-to-day terminal activities sets the terminal in good stead for the future.

Under the agreement, GAC provides terminal management services at the site, including providing terminal operators, loading masters and jetty operators who are responsible for the day-to-day operations of the terminal, discharging fuel from vessels and overseeing the loading of fuel onto trucks for delivery.

In 2021, Ireland imported over 8 million litres of Gd+ HVO from the UK and GBF is seeing significant growth to this figure as industries turn to greener alternatives to fossil fuel.

Ireland has committed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 51% by 2030 and reach net-zero by 2050. GBF is in the business of introducing low-carbon, drop-in replacement fuels to the UK and Irish markets. It is more recently making a name for itself by powering the BBC’s coverage of this year’s Eurovision Song Contest.

The Cork Terminal currently only handles Gd⁺ but options to store other clean fuels there are being explored. The current capacity of 38 million is set to increase to 53 million with further development.