Spliethoff Group is the latest shipowner to carry out trials of 100% biofuels following earlier tests of combined biofuels and conventional heavy fuel oil (HFO).
The Dutch multipurpose operator said the trials are taking place aboard the 12,500-dwt Flevogracht (built 2011).
The ship was bunkered in Amsterdam on 13 December 2021 with 100% fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) based biofuel supplied by compatriot sustainable marine fuel pioneer GoodFuels.
"Once these tests have been completed successfully, Spliethoff Group will be able to offer clients the option to use biofuels for certain trades and projects which inherently gives the possibility of emission reduction in logistics," Spliethoff said.
The trial of 100% biofuels comes after tests in 2021 of a blend of 50% FAME-based biofuel and 50% conventional HFO.
The first trial took place between June and November on BigLift Shipping's heavy transport vessel BigLift Baffin (built 2016).
"The objective of this trial was to test if biofuel is suitable for use, as yet in combination with HFO, and to determine whether the biofuel can be stored in a bunker tank for a longer period before being used," Spliethoff said.
"Since the results of this trial were positive on both points, the next step was to test the use of 100% biofuel."
GoodFuels says sustainable biofuels are a "leading contender" for marine decarbonisation due to their drop-in characteristics, well-tuned infrastructure, and ability to enable stakeholders to comply with current and imminent environmental legislation.
They are also said to be one of the few solutions that already exist on the market today and are available for all vessel types.
In December, US-listed shipowner Eagle Bulk completed a fossil-free voyage when its 63,529-dwt Sydney Eagle (built 2015) was bunkered with GoodFuels' marine biofuel for the first time.
