German container line Hapag-Lloyd is testing a new blend of biofuel and low sulphur fuel oil (LSFO) to cut CO2 emissions.

The company said its 4,402-teu boxship Montreal Express (built 2003) has bunkered the so-called B20 in Rotterdam for the first time.

This is 80% LSFO and 20% biofuel from cooking oil and fats previously used in the catering industry.

"The biodiesel generates up to 90% less CO2 emissions than conventional fuels," it said.

It intends to use the test run on the vessel, which operates between Europe and Canada, to gain experience and information on the properties of the fuel in real-world use.

“We are checking to see whether the share of biodiesel has any adverse effects on the equipment and the fuel processing on board the vessel," said Jan Christensen, senior director of purchasing and Supply at Hapag-Lloyd.

"If the test is successful, more ships from Hapag-Lloyd’s fleet could operate using the B20 fuel in future."

Diversified approach to compliance

The company has 231 modern vessels. It has been taking a diversified approach to the new IMO 2020 fuel standards, using compliant oil, scrubbers and LNG.

“By the end of this year, we want to have reduced our specific CO2 emissions by 50% compared to the reference year 2008," said Jorg Erdmann, its senior director of sustainability management.

"Biofuels like B20 can help us reach this target. This is because, in addition to having a low sulphur content, the fuel also emits less climate-damaging CO2 during combustion.”

In February last year, the company booked in what it claimed was the first conversion of a large boxship to run on LNG.

Retrofitting of the 15,000-teu Sajir (built 2014) was due to take place at Hudong Hondhoa Shipbuilding's Shanghai yard Huarun Dadong Dockyard in China.

The pilot project paves the way for other large vessels to follow suit, the company said, making emissions reductions of between 15% and 30% possible.

The vessel's engine will also be able to use LSFO as a back-up.