GCMD wraps up biofuels supply chain trials

July 18, 2024, by Ajsa Habibic

The Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation (GCMD) has completed the final supply chain trial for biofuel blended with very low sulphur fuel oil (VLSFO), bringing a series of trials launched in July 2022 to an end.

The series of trials form a part of a larger pilot to develop a framework to provide quality, quantity, and greenhouse gas (GHG) abatement assurances for drop-in fuels.

In the final trial, 4,500 MT of B3 marine biofuel blend with a new organic-based tracer, which was deployed for the first time, was bunkered at the Port of Rotterdam. The biofuel blend was provided by energy major BP to Tihama, a 19,870 TEU containership operated by Hapag-Lloyd.

According to GCMD, the biofuel component is certified to the International Sustainability & Carbon Certification (ISCC) standard – a multistakeholder certification scheme for biobased materials. It comprised neat fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) produced from food waste.

Authentix, a tracer solutions provider, supplied and dosed the FAME with an organic-based tracer at the storage terminal outside the Netherlands. The dosed FAME was then transported to the Port of Rotterdam for blending with VLSFO to achieve a B30 blend, before the blend was bunkered onboard the Tihama.

Similar to previous trials, GCMD engaged fuel testing company Veritas Petroleum Services (VPS) to witness the operations at all stages – from biofuel cargo transfer to bunkering. VPS also collected and conducted extensive laboratory tests on samples of the biofuel and biofuel blend collected at pre-determined points along the supply chain to assess quality per Standards EN 14214 and ISO 8217.

With well-to-wake emissions of 13.74 gCO₂e/MJ, the neat FAME presented a 85.4% emissions reduction compared to the emissions of the fossil marine fuel. The reduced emissions comply with the MEPC 80, which requires a minimum emissions reduction of 65% in order for biofuels to be classified as sustainable.

GCMD and Hapag-Lloyd determined that consumption of the 4,500 MT B30 blend of FAME and VLSFO resulted in a 27.9% emissions reduction compared to sailing on VLSFO.

With the completion of this trial, GCMD has deployed a diverse range of tracer technologies, including synthetic DNA and element-based tracers, in addition to the organic-based tracer used in this trial. The trials have also included the development of a chemical fingerprinting methodology and the evaluation of lock-and-seal and automatic identification systems (AIS) as additional solutions to ensure the integrity of the biofuels supply chain.

The insights from these trials will be shared in a series of reports covering issues, such as traceability, biofuel degradation, supply chain optimization, and abatement costs. These findings will make up a comprehensive assurance framework to provide guidance on biofuels use, slated for release in the fourth quarter of 2024.

Lynn Loo, CEO of GCMD, commented: “Over the past 18 months, GCMD has meticulously conducted these supply chain trials of biofuels use under business-as-usual conditions, collaborating with partners to test different tracing techniques. The aim is to remove adoption barriers and increase user confidence and uptake of biofuels by assuring users that they are getting value for the cost premium, mitigating fears of biofuels adulteration, and preventing fraud.”

Arne Maibohm, Director Sustainability at Hapag-Lloyd, added: “We are delighted to have partnered with GCMD and bp in this important trial. The deployment of the new tracer technology is a good step forward in ensuring the integrity and authenticity of the biofuel supply chain. It enhances trust by verifying the origin of the biofuels. Hapag-Lloyd is dedicated to exploring innovative solutions to drive positive change within the industry.”