Denmark's Maersk Line has launched the world's largest marine biofuel pilot scheme.
The Dutch Sustainable Growth Coalition (DSGC) said members including FrieslandCampina, Heineken, Philips, DSM, Shell and Unilever have teamed up with the shipowner to take a step towards the decarbonisation of shipping.
Maersk will test out sustainable second-generation biofuel on a large triple-E ship of more than 18,000 teu.
It will sail 25,000 nautical miles from Rotterdam to Shanghai and back on biofuel blends alone, a world first at this scale, the coalition said.
The move will save 1,500 tonnes of CO2 and 20 tonnes of sulphur.
Many of the DSGC members are Maersk customers and initiated and sponsored the pilot. Shell is the fuel supplier.
Rival line CMA CGM is also piloting biofuels with GoodFuels of the Netherlands.
The coalition said sustainably sourced second-generation biofuels are just one possible solution for the decarbonisation of ocean shipping.
More breakthroughs needed
"Longer term, breakthroughs in fuel and technical development (ie e-fuels) and the investment into commercial supply chains are needed to achieve significant emissions reductions," it added.
Soren Toft, chief operating officer at AP Moller–Maersk, said: “To reach our net zero CO2 target by 2050, in the next 10 years we need big breakthroughs. Maersk cannot do this alone.
"That is why this collaboration with DSGC and its members is such an important step in identifying and bringing low-carbon solutions to life.
"It laid the foundation for how cross-industry partners can work together to take steps towards a more sustainable future. We welcome others to join in our efforts, as this journey is just beginning.”
He added: “Biofuels are one of the viable solutions that can be implemented in the short and medium term. Through this pilot, we aim to learn more about using biofuels in general, and to understand the possibilities around increasing its usage in a sustainable and economical way.”
