Singapore biofuel bunkering

TotalEnergies Marine Fuels has carried out its first marine bio-Very Low Sulfur Fuel Oil (VLSFO) bunker delivery in Singapore as part of a biofuel trial recently completed by NYK Line and Anglo American.

“This trial has allowed us to initiate the structuring of a supply chain with local expertise to create a sustainable, cost-efficient and low-carbon biofuel offer for the shipping sector in the region,” said Laura Ong, general manager of trading and operations for Asia Pacific, TotalEnergies Marine Fuels.

Bio focus

During the operation, a B10 biofuel blend that composed of VLSFO blended with 10% second-generation, waste-based and ISCC-certified Used Cooking Oil Methyl Ester (UCOME) was supplied via ship-to-ship transfer to MT Friendship, a bulk carrier owned by Seanergy Maritime Holdings Corp and chartered by NYK Line to transport cargo provided by Anglo American.

The biofuel was consumed during the vessel’s two-way voyage between Singapore and Saldanha Bay, South Africa.

Ms Ong said that the UCOME bio-component, can achieve more than 80% reduction of GHG emissions compared with heavy fuel oil from a well-to-wake analysis. Consequently, with the delivered B10 biofuel blend provides a reduction of up to 10% in GHG emissions.

The trial showed that the biofuel can be safely and effectively used in relevant marine applications without any modifications. 

This biofuel delivery underlines TotalEnergies’ pioneering efforts in setting up a local biofuel supply chain for this trial, including land storage, blending and the eventual bunkering operation.

The local operation was made possible with support from the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) and the involvement of local partners, including Singapore bunker barging company V-Bunkers and tank storage company Vopak Terminals Singapore at Penjuru.

This biofuel delivery forms part of TotalEnergies Marine Fuels’ drive to develop a range of fuel solutions to help the shipping industry’s move towards decarbonisation.