Yang Ming to use sustainable biofuel to boost decarbonization efforts

March 11, 2024, by Fatima Bahtić

Taiwanese shipping company Yang Ming Marine Transport Corporation has decided to adopt sustainable biofuel into its fleet to respond to the 2050 net-zero emissions goal.

As informed, the adoption of the fuel began with Yang Ming’s 1,805 TEU containership, YM Inception, and 6,600 TEU containership, YM Masculinity.

Specifically, YM Inception was bunkered with biofuel in Hong Kong on March 7, while YM Masculinity received biofuel in Singapore on March 8.

These vessels are currently deployed on the Japan to/from Taiwan, Hong Kong, Vietnam and Thailand service, JTC, and the Far East to/from Middle East service, CGX, respectively.

In collaboration with energy providers Chimbusco Pan Nation Petro-Chemical and KPI OceanConnect, both vessels have been bunkered with B24 biofuel, certified by the International Sustainability & Carbon Certification (ISCC).

Specifically, this sustainable fuel comprises a blend of fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) and very low sulfur fuel oil (VLSFO).

By embracing biofuel, Yang Ming wants to achieve a substantial reduction of approximately 20 percent in carbon emissions compared to conventional fuel oil.

“Confronted with future regulatory requirements and the challenges of decarbonization, the adoption of biofuel signifies a significant milestone for Yang Ming as it transitions towards achieving net-zero carbon emissions. Despite the associated higher costs, Yang Ming plans to gradually expand the use of biofuel in 2024, continuing research and investment in new alternative energy sources to realize a 20% reduction in total carbon emissions by 2030 compared to the levels in 2018,” Yang Ming Chairman Cheng Cheng-Mount stated.

In addition to the integration of biofuel, Yang Ming has implemented a range of energy-saving and emission-reduction measures in its fleet.

These measures include retrofitting existing vessels for enhanced energy efficiency, utilizing big data analysis to optimize vessel performance, and implementing route optimization strategies.

Furthermore, the shipowner expects the delivery of five newly-built 15,500 TEU LNG dual-fuel containerships starting in 2026. In 2023, the shipping company signed a contract with South Korea’s shipbuilding major HD Hyundai Heavy Industries for the construction of five LNG dual-fuel boxships.