MPC Container Ships (MPCC) has struck a deal for a supply of marine diesel oil (MDO) made from biogenic CO2 and renewable hydrogen.
The Oslo-listed feeder ship owner said deliveries will begin next year from Germany's Ineratec.
The shipping company, which controls 67 vessels, added that synthetic MDO can directly replace the fossil fuels used in ships today due to its drop-in compatibility.
“With this agreement, MPC Container Ships initiates the transition to the use of carbon-neutral, synthetic diesel in shipping,” the owner said.
Ineratec has already started construction of its pioneering plant in Frankfurt, where a large part of the sustainable fuel will be produced.
Once commissioned, this will supply up to 3.5m litres of sustainable aviation fuel, marine diesel and synthetic chemical feedstocks per year.
Constantin Baack, chief executive of MPCC, said: “While there will be a variety of fuels in the future, the synthetic MDO manufactured by Ineratec is of particular importance as it can be used both on our conventional vessels and as a pilot fuel on the vessels under construction with methanol-based propulsion.
“Due to their importance for the decarbonisation of shipping, we think it is possible that future charter agreements will also include the supply of green fuels. In this case, it will be crucial for MPCC to maintain close relationships with fuel suppliers.”
A sustainable product for shipping
Ineratec uses hydrogen from renewable electricity and greenhouse gases such as CO2 to produce e-kerosene, CO2-neutral gasoline, clean diesel, methanol or synthetic natural gas.
Philipp Engelkamp, the producer’s chief commercial officer, said: “In order to enable a sustainable future with e-fuels, Ineratec enters into contracts with partners from all over the world.
“After projects aimed at the production of synthetic kerosene, automotive fuel and sustainable chemical raw materials, we are very happy about the partnership with MPCC to bring a sustainable product to shipping.”
