Stena Bulk’s MR tanker wraps up biofuel trial

Stena Bulk’s MR tanker Stena immortal has concluded the biofuel trial launched in March in cooperation with the Dutch biofuel supplier GoodFuels.

During the ten-day trial, the bio fuel oil (BFO) was tested in the ship’s tanks, storage and it was burned in the engines.

The fuel is the MR1-100 bio-fuel oil, produced from used cooking oil and was bunkered on board the ship in the Port of Rotterdam, last March.

The companies said that the fuel proved to be a technically compliant alternative to the fossil default for oceangoing tanker vessels.

Erik Hånell, President and CEO Stena Bulk, said that Stena Immortal performed very well running on the biofuel without a disruption.

“We like to show the industry that we can start reducing the carbon footprint of shipping here and now while maintaining highest quality technical and commercial operations,” he said.

“We’re happy to collaborate with GoodFuels in this test to take on that mission and encourage others to join us. We are of course open and have a willingness to drive and take part of this development together with stakeholders in this industry.”

Following the successful trial, Stena Bulk and GoodFuels Marine plan to resume working together to gain more experience and scale the usage of BFO as an alternative to conventional fossil-based fuel. 

According to GoodFuels, BFO reduces greenhouse gas emissions by 83% and substantially reduces SO_X emissions. 

“The success of this trial further underlines sustainable marine biofuel’s position within the marine fuel mix, and helps owners and operators to future-proof against current and impending regulations. As the trial was conducted with 100% biofuel, it also shows that low-carbon shipping doesn’t have to be decades away but viable also on the shorter term if industry leaders work together to push the development,” GoodFuels said.