Port of Rotterdam renews clean fuels deal with VARO Energy

The Port of Rotterdam has entered into a new agreement with oil refiner and supplier VARO Energy Group to optimize fuel and energy practices. VARO has emerged as the winner of the port’s tender process for the cleanest usable energy carrier.

The port has been using VARO’s HVO100 (100% Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil) for its fleet since 2018.

This biofuel is made entirely from sustainable materials, and reduces the fleet’s CO₂ emissions by up to 89% compared to conventional diesel fuel. The biofuel can be mixed with conventional diesel in any ratio and is suitable – without modifications – for all current diesel engines. For this reason, HVO is a very accessible and cost-efficient way to reduce CO₂ emissions.

The port said earlier that the majority of its emissions were produced by its patrol vessels, which prompted its switch to biofuels,

The Port of Rotterdam Authority’s policy is to transition gradually to emission-free vessels from 2025 forward.

This has prompted VARO Energy Group to explore different fuels and oils, including hydrogen, methanol, biofuel, and synthetic fuels, in line with the port’s air quality goals.

The port is accelerating its activities to become a carbon-free business by 2050 and is carrying out 12 energy transition projects. These include a project to transport CO2 from industrial companies in the port of Rotterdam and store it in empty gas fields under the North Sea, building biofuels plants, developing the Rotterdam hydrogen pipeline as well as hydrogen imports and investing in shore power.