Norden Tests Marine Biofuel on Another Tanker

Norden is conducting a second test voyage with a large ocean-going vessel powered by CO2 neutral biofuel, the Danish shipping company said on social media.

As informed, the tests are being conducted aboard Nord Sustainable, a medium range 2 (MR2) chemical/product tanker built in 2015.

The 49,600 dwt tanker recently left Ventspils in Latvia and is scheduled to reach Alger, Algeria, on June 17, according to the ship’s AIS data provided by VesselsValue.

As the test is still ongoing, the company has not revealed further details on the voyage.

Several months ago, Norden, in cooperation with GoodFuels, completed trials of the zero-emission, ‘drop in’ heavy fuel oil-equivalent marine biofuel, almost entirely reducing all carbon and sulphur emissions.

Related: Norden Trials Biofuel as Alternative to LSFO

The test was conducted on board Nord Highlander, a Handysize product tanker. The ship departed from Antwerp on fossil fuel, and after a visual inspection of the engine, the vessel switched to biofuel.

As explained by Norden, the test documented that 2nd generation CO₂ neutral biofuel is a technically and economically suitable and thereby a realistic alternative to comparable fossil fuel. It was concluded that the engine performance was not affected.

Norden’s biofuel tests are said to be in line with the company’s objectives to reduce its carbon footprint.