CMA CGM Boxship Refueled with Sustainable Marine Biofuel in Rotterdam Port

The 5,095 TEU containership CMA CGM White Shark was successfully refueled with sustainable marine biofuel oil while calling at Rotterdam on March 23, 2019.

The test, announced earlier this month, is said to represent a major step towards the decarbonization of ocean freight.

The biofuel trial saw French shipping company CMA CGM, the Port of Rotterdam, the GoodShipping Program and IKEA Transport & Logistics Services work together in a first-of-its-kind partnership for the shipping industry.

As explained, results from the trial will give the maritime sector a vital demonstration into the scalability, sustainability and technical compliance of sustainable marine bio-fuel oil.

This will benefit all industry stakeholders in their environmental strategies, in line with the impending International Maritime Organisation (IMO) decarbonization pathway, according to the companies.

The sustainable marine bio-fuel oil was developed by GoodFuels after undergoing three years of intensive testing with marine engine manufacturers. The second-generation bio-fuel oil is completely derived from forest residues and waste cooking oil products, is expected to deliver 80-90% well-to-propeller CO2 reduction versus fossil equivalents, and virtually eliminates sulphur oxide (SOx) emissions – all without any requirement for engine modifications.

The trial was facilitated by the GoodShipping Program, a sustainable initiative dedicated to decarbonizing ocean freight.