American oil and gas corporation ExxonMobil has completed a commercial bio-based marine fuel oil bunkering in the port of Singapore.
On 26 September, Singapore-based Tata NYK Shipping, a joint venture of Tata Steel and NYK Line, deployed its Sagar series bulk carrier vessel, MV Sagar Moti, currently carrying salt from Mundra (in India) to Vietnam, which received ExxonMobil’s marine biofuel via a ship-to-ship transfer in Singapore waters before heading to discharge port.
The fuel oil is a combination of a conventional 0.50% sulphur fuel with up to 25% waste-based fatty acid methyl esters (FAME). The bio-component has been accredited by the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) organisation.
ExxonMobil is already supplying marine biofuel in the Amsterdam-Rotterdam-Antwerp (ARA) region, following a successful sea trial.
“Tata NYK is pleased to partner with ExxonMobil and believes marine biofuels have an important role to play in achieving Tata NYK’s sustainability goals. We are targeting to achieve approximately 20-22% CO2 emissions reduction compared with conventional petroleum based HFO/VLSFO, calculated on an energy basis,” Captain Zareer Antia, Senior General Manager, Marine, Technical & Operations, Tata NYK, said.
“As an engine-ready fuel, we already understand the storage, handling and treatment requirements of this fuel, which makes it an ideal choice for us. Tata NYK has been examining biofuels with continuous trials and is at the forefront in meeting its customer’s sustainability goals.”
“We are proud to collaborate with Tata NYK for this successful delivery of marine biofuels in Singapore,” Haur-Bin Chua, Regional Commercial Fuels Sales Director, Marine, ExxonMobil Asia Pacific, said.
“As an engine-ready fuel, the bio-based marine fuel oil can be used without the need for expensive fuel system or engine modifications, and can help provide ship operators with an immediate reduction in emissions, compared with full hydrocarbon alternatives.”
ExxonMobil is committed to advancing lower-emission energy solutions, with plans to produce 200,000 barrels per day of lower-emission fuels by 2030.—World Maritime News
