Wallenius Wilhelmsen performs first biofuel bunkering in Japan

Norwegian shipping and logistics company Wallenius Wilhelmsen has conducted its first biofuel bunkering trial in Japan.

During the trial, Wallenius Wilhelmsen’s roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) ship M/V Tamesis bunkered 400 metric tons of B24 biofuel at the Port of Yokohama. The biofuel was supplied by Mitsubishi Corporation Energy.

The shipping company described the operation as a milestone in its ongoing efforts to reduce environmental impact and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and promote sustainability, expanding its locations for biofuel supply.

Since 2023, Wallenius Wilhelmsen’s expansion has included ports in Belgium, Korea, and Singapore.

The company’s emission reduction targets include a 40% absolute reduction of well-to-wake GHG emissions by 2030 compared to its 2022 baseline, approved by the Science Based Targets initiative.

“Achieving these targets require a major shift in energy sources from conventional fuels to low and zero-carbon alternatives,” said Yasuyuki Sakurai, Senior Manager of Orcelle Accelerator taskforce at Wallenius Wilhelmsen.

“Expanding supply locations and securing sufficient biofuels remain a priority, and we are pleased to have conducted our first B24 VLSFO blended biofuel bunkering trial in Yokohama. While our Reduced Carbon Service customers fully support our mass-balance concept, ensuring sufficient biofuel usage across our entire fleet and trade lanes is key to achieving our long-term sustainability goals.”

In 2024, Wallenius Wilhelmsen received its first biofuel insetting verification statement from classification society DNV, verifying the GHG reductions achieved through the use of 100% biofuel (B100) on the vehicle carrier Morning Post.

In recent news, the shipping player has launched a sustainable framework promoting green financing practices under which it may raise financing through green bonds, loans, and derivatives, and sustainability-linked bonds, loans and derivatives.

“Our intention is to allocate our green financing to the new dual-fuel capable vessels that align with the EU Taxonomy. We recognize that a common interpretation of the taxonomy is yet to materialize and it is under continued development. We are monitoring how these developments will impact our green financing closely,” Wallenius Wilhelmsen explained.

The company currently operates 125 vessels on 15 trade routes.