Mining giant Anglo American has carried out its first-ever marine biofuel trial in a bid to start decarbonising its supply chain.
The test run was performed earlier this month on one of its chartered bulkers during a voyage from Singapore to the Saldanha Bay in South Africa, the company said on Tuesday.
“Low emission ocean freight is crucial in driving the long-term sustainability of the maritime industry,” said Peter Whitcutt, chief executive of Anglo American’s marketing business.
“Shaping an effective transition requires a comprehensive framework of complementary solutions, in which alternative marine fuels have an important role to play.”
Toyota Tsusho refuelled the NYK Line-owned, 183,000-dwt Frontier Jacaranda (built 2011) with waste-based biofuel during the trial.
Anglo American partnered with Singapore firm Alpha Biofuels to produce the biodiesel — consisting of 7% biofuel and 93% regular fuel — via blending operations in onshore tanks in Singapore.
“We are partnering with like-minded industry players to improve our understanding of factors likely to impact the future scalability of this solution,” Whitcutt said.
Important step
“The success of this trial marks an important step forward in establishing biofuel as a viable option, aligned with circular economic principles.”
The UK-headquartered miner reported the biofuel blend helped reduce CO2 emissions by about 5% when compared with conventional fuels. It aims to become a carbon-neutral business by 2040.
To combat climate change, the International Maritime Organization is aiming to halve greenhouse gas emissions from international shipping by 2050.
Some scientists said the use of biofuel as bunkers is carbon neutral because the organic matter used to produce biofuel roughly absorbs as much CO2 as it releases when burned.
But waste-based biofuel is generally preferred as there have been worries that biofuel produced from crops could lead to higher food prices.
“NYK is looking to contribute to the decarbonisation of the shipping industry by accelerating the conversion of ships to alternative fuels through a series of biofuel trials at the port of Singapore,” the Japanese carrier said in a separate statement.
In early 2019, NYK’s 179,288-dwt bulker Frontier Sky (built 2012) performed a biofuel test run in Rotterdam when it was chartered by mining giant BHP.
Netherlands-based GoodFuels produced the biodiesel with a mix of 30% biofuel and 70% conventional marine gasoil.
