TFG Marine, the bunker venture between Trafigura and two John Fredriksen-controlled firms, has begun to offer biofuels in Europe following successful trials.
The Geneva-based company said it recently made its first biofuel sale to the 50,000-dwt Marlin Amethyst (built 2015), supplying the MR product tanker with B50 bio-marine gasoil in Amsterdam.
The vessel is bareboat chartered to Trafigura, the trading giant that owns 75% of TFG. Trafigura procured the fuel as vessel operator.
“This alternative lower carbon bio-blend marine fuel will help customers like Trafigura reduce the level of greenhouse gas emissions generated from their operations,” the bunker supplier said via its LinkedIn account.
Last year, the Marlin Amethyst had taken part in TFG’s sea trials of biofuel bunkering operations.
“This is the second time that the Marlin Amethyst has taken delivery of TFG Marine-supplied biofuel,” Trafigura said.
“The use of biofuels supports … Trafigura’s target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.”
The trader has targeted to reduce operational GHG emissions by at least 30% by the end of financial year 2023, compared to 2020 levels.
Trafigura has also pledged to set a goal for reducing its indirect, or Scope 3, emissions by 2023. Shipping makes up 70% of those emissions.
Growing demand
Many researchers have concluded that the use of biofuel as bunkers can be considered a carbon-neutral process, as 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 would lead to higher food prices.
Amid increasing focus on decarbonisation among shipping companies, TFG had announced it would start to supply biofuels and have more physical bunkering locations in 2021.
Following the recent sale, the company is offering low-sulphur gasoil, very low sulphur fuel oil and heavy fuel oil with 20%, 30% and 50% bio-blends.
The fuels are available in the Dutch ports of Amsterdam, Rotterdam and Flushing.
TFG is also 15% owned by Frontline and 10% by Golden Ocean Group, which are both backed by shipping tycoon John Fredriksen.
The company has undergone rapid expansion in recent quarters, acting as the exclusive bunker buyer for its shareholders plus Avance Gas and Flex LNG, which are also Fredriksen-backed shipping companies.
